They are doing their best

It is the beginning of a new academic year here at Stevens. There are more Freshmen than ever before, classes are already bustling with eager new students, and already, The Office of Residence Life is upsetting the populace.
In previous editorials and conversations with my fellows, I’ve voiced my opposition and agitation with “Res Life.” From their inconsistent policies to their frustrating website user interface, I have plenty of valid reasons to be upset with them. But I have moved off campus, and they are out of my immediate life.
But this editorial does not seek to admonish this organization; in truth, I’ve come to defend it.
I have heard rumors of housing situations so dire that Stevens (Res Life) has rented out rooms in the W Hotel on River Street in order to accommodate them. Many students are outraged at the lack of organization on Res Life’s part, and even more are frustrated on the housing arrangements that they get, such as one friend of mine who got stuck in Marshall, an apartment complex on Harrison Street located in one of the “sketchiest” sections of Hoboken.
What I want my fellow students to understand is that it isn’t entirely Res Life’s fault.
The Office of Residence Life has a policy of “Guaranteed Housing”, which states that, if you sign up for housing through their website by the deadline, you are promised by Res Life to have housing for that term. Truthfully, it is one of the reasons any of our parents originally admired Stevens, because it is devilishly difficult to get housing around here on your own.
I’d like to venture that, because of this reason, The Office of Undergraduate Admissions does not want to see the “Guaranteed Housing” policy vanish. Perhaps some of Res Life earnestly want to be able to guarantee housing to all students. But, due to pressure of the oncoming Master Plan at Stevens, there are too many freshmen and upperclassmen crowding the halls for this policy to remain feasible.
My point is, there is a lot at work behind The Office of Residence Life that the average student doesn’t have to, or can, see. Don’t “hate” on Res Life because your housing situation sucks or because it looks disorganized. Remember that a good portion of it is probably not their fault.
Additionally, at least with the story pertaining to Stevens Students staying at the W Hotel, that is earnestly beyond Stevens’ control: apparently one of the landlords responsible for maintaining an apartment for Stevens Students dragged out his contract and ultimately foiled Res Life’s plans to have students move in by August 25.
But here is where I stop defending Res Life, and Stevens, because that entire rumor just sounds off to me. Landlord dragging out a contract? That sounds horribly shady. Must Stevens really interact with this individual? I get this vibe that this landlord offered a cheap deal and Stevens tried to accept.
As much as I try to defend Res Life, I will confess, they (and any section of the administration at Stevens) are far from perfect.
I recall last year there was a great debacle about Stevens kicking out people from their homes to make way for more freshmen, although, I heard that most of the people displaced were compensated and were somehow connected to Stevens anyways. It unsettles me to think that the administration does these things, even with good intentions for the students.
It is my sincerest hope that the administration holds itself to the same integrity and honor that we students agree to abide by when we sign the pledge on our exams.
But that topic, like the Master Plan, is one that I must save for another day.