University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Too Many Faces For Too Few Sp Living on campus used to be punish ment imposed on students by parents concerned with the freedoms of college life. But the thousands of people turned away for housing each year served as ex- amples that these times, they are a changing. USC housed 5,000 students this year, far short of the 8,000 who ap- plied for on-campus apartments or dorms. Fraternities and sororities provid- ed shelter for an additional 1,800 people although they were not affiliated with Auxiliary Services, housing ' s headquart- ers. A system was devised to determine each applicant ' s need for guaranteed space on campus. Those living in the Los Angeles area were given low priority as opposed to new students from outside California who were seen to be in greater need of shelter. Four new facilities, creating 905 addi- tional spaces, will be finished in time for the beginning of Fall semester, 1981. High construction costs and unavailable acreage has prevented the university from undertaking mass housing projects to meet the demand. Local landowners realized the worth of their property which is in the vicinity of a major edu- cational institution, the Coliseum, the Sports Arena and has already begun to play an important role in the 1984 Olympics. Shortages became a permanent part of the housing situation which forced lot- teries to be held until everyone wanting space on campus received it. Over 900 people particapted in the first drawing which could only place 135. The final lottery failed to place 290 students who were subsequently placed on a compu- terized waiting list and received rooms as they became available. Once housing was assigned, the prob- lems began. Costs increased 12 per cent over the previous year ' s figures which prompted the Departments of Engineer- ing, Marketing and Supervision to devise ways to cut costs. The price of on-cam- pus living was high, but the convenience of residing near classes, libraries and friends outweighed the frustrations of commuting. 26 Student Life

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Student Life 25

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Student Life