In the first year that on-campus housing has been made available to upperclassmen, 527 juniors and seniors registered for the housing lottery for approximately 415 available spots.
Despite the expanded on-campus housing, the University will be unable to provide all upperclassmen who registered for the lottery with on-campus housing, because they have to reserve spaces for incoming freshman and sophomores.
In previous years, juniors and seniors were required to move off campus for their final two years at Hopkins. However the August 2006 opening of Charles Commons will allow some upperclassmen to continue to reside on campus. Students who do not receive housing through the lottery or opt out of it are responsible for finding housing off campus.
"We will randomize all the registered groups and upperclassmen will choose their space based on the results of the random sort," said Carol Mohr, senior director of housing and dining services.
Sophomores and upperclassmen will be eligible to live in Charles Commons, the Bradford, the Homewood Apartments and McCoy Hall, as well as one wing of Wolman Hall.
Freshman will fill AMR I and II, Buildings A and B and all of Wolman Hall, with the exception of one wing.
"We're going to cluster all the incoming freshman together," Mohr said. "Sophomores and freshmen won't be sharing rooms next year."
She also noted even if upperclassmen don't receive housing during the selection process, adding their name to the waiting list will provide them with the possibility of getting housing later.
"Spaces will be opening up throughout the summer due to natural attrition," Mohr said.
Dean of Student Life Paula Burger said that she believes that many upperclassmen have opted to remain on-campus in order to reap the benefits of being able to live with fellow students.
"Part of the magic of a really good residential experience is that you have such ready access to other students," Burger said.
"Previously students had to restrict their access to other Hopkins students," she added.
Mohr agreed: "I think students want to live in University housing to remain a part of the campus community and enjoy the convenience, amenities and services that campus housing offers," said Mohr.
Student reactions to the change in housing policy vary. While a number of students did enter into the lottery, other students have already secured off-campus accommodations for next year.
"I have always been looking forward to living off campus and living in an apartment," said sophomore Anna Elsohn.
"I like how upperclassmen get to interact the community by living in it and getting the taste of being grown up while still having their parents support them," she added.
Some students said that they are entering the lottery with hopes of receiving a good number, but will pull out and find alternative housing if they are not pleased with their housing options.
"We're hoping to get a really sweet room in Homewood, or otherwise we're living off campus. Basically it opens up our options," said sophomore Jon Smalletz. Smalletz cited the convenience of the Homewood Apartments as an attraction to living on-campus for an additional year.
Accommodations have also been made for students who plan to spend a semester studying abroad. University housing will offer half-year leases to students going abroad in the Spring. For students spending the fall semester away however, securing on-campus housing for the spring will not be a possibility until next fall.
"I feel that it's fantastic that they're offering half-year leases with those who are going abroad," said sophomore Jessica Rebarber.
"However, for those who are going abroad in the fall, like myself, it's an inconvenience because you don't know if you're going to be able to live with friends or on campus," she added.
Elsohn said that due to her plans to study abroad in the fall, it seemed simpler to arrange to live in an off-campus residence.
"I'm going abroad in the fall and living with a family, so when I get back I have just a feeling that I won't want to live under anybody's rules or provisions," Elsohn said.
Eventually, Burger said, the addition of a freshman quad in combination with the purchase of the Charles and Blackstone apartment buildings will provide enough housing to allow all students to reside on-campus.
"Most students have a wonderful residential experience their freshman year, and we want that to continue in a form for upperclassmen," Burger said.
"If students are cut off too early from the easy access to their peers, that shuts out part of their educational experience," she added.
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