<p>I recently moved my daughter into Wicomico Hall - it’s absolutely horrible and on days like today - it’s overwhelming. The dorm is extremely hot and on days like today when the temps are in the high 80’s - 90’s the walls are sweating and air circulation is even worse. I have called Res Life to discuss options and was told that unless my daughter had a documented medical condition, moving her was only possible if she could find an open room during the room swap activity scheduled for later this month. It’s highly unlikely that a student in an air conditioned room would be willing to switch rooms. Adding insult to injury, I also became aware of the fact that my daughter’s room is categorized as a traditional double and falls into the same pricing category as the traditional double in the brand new Prince Frederick Hall dorm that just opened this Fall and offers air conditioned rooms, free laundry facilities and other amenities not offered in many of the other dorms on campus. This, as I understand it is uncommon at other universities where room charges are determined based on square footage and amenities available. I am quite concerned about the living conditions in the older buildings and the challenge with air circulation, possible dehydration, etc. The administrators in the office of Res Life appear to be unconcerned as my inquiry was met with apathy. I was told that they are considering restructuring the room pricing beginning next year. What about those who are now paying the same rate for rooms that are not equal in size nor accommodations…what provisions are being made this year to correct the problem??</p>
<p>My daughter is having difficulty sleeping and functioning in the room due to the heat and poor circulation…based on documentation that I have located, it appears that Wicomico was supposed to be closed once the new building opened this Fall (2014). For whatever reason that plan has changed and Wicomico continues to remain open.</p>
<p>I was also told that even if I provided medical documentation, and she were to be moved to an air conditioned room…she may be placed in an apt. with 3 Seniors - if that is the first available air conditioned space (I supposed that statement was supposed to bring me comfort and encourage me to feel better about the situation).</p>
<p>Is this normal? Has anyone else had this experience? I am totally disappointed by the housing and the response to my inquiry. Also - my conversation about the situation was not with a student but the second in command in the Office of Res Life. </p>
<p>It’s unfortunate that Res Life wasn’t more sympathetic to your complaint. I understand that there may not be a great solution, but having a sympathetic ear sometimes helps. My daughter was in a dorm last year with no a.c. The first few weeks were pretty miserable, but it gets better very quickly. They had a window fan, desk fans, and clip on fans going at all times. It wasn’t ideal, but it was manageable for the three week period that it was necessary. She looked at it as just a part of the freshman experience. I hope your daughter finds some relief with fans, or that she is able to find new housing soon. The good news is that it is only an issue for a very short period of time.</p>
<p>I’ve been a bit disappointed as well. Our son is in Hagerstown and it is unbearably hot at times. We got him a few fans and that definitely helped. I have taken Terpmom’s approach though…this will be a non issue in a couple weeks and plenty of other kids are also dealing with the heat. Today is pleasant temperature. </p>
<p>I was surprised that they put Honors College kids in a non-AC dorm. I was under the impression they got some benefits for their achievements.</p>
<p>@marylandhome, my daughter was in Hagerstown last year, and is also in the honors college. I too was surprised that there was no housing perk for honors students. Many schools give them the best housing on campus. Oh well, such is life. Hooray for this lovely weather!!</p>
<p>We got a chance to speak to Dr. Dorland as we were moving our son into Hagerstown. He said that the University Honors students (a few years ago) chose to live in Hagerstown Hall for the location. I believe he said that the dorm they had previously been in was air conditioned. My husband and I both survived living in non-AC’d dorms in Virginia, so we expect that our son will be fine too. He actually hasn’t mentioned it at all as of yet.</p>
<p>While I understand that there may not be a great solution - a sympathetic ear and an offer to work towards a solution would be helpful. Instead I was told that in order to have my daughter moved, I would need to have a documented medical diagnosis, requiring air condition. In which case, per the Assistant Director of Res. Life, chances are that she would end up in an apartment with 3 Senior girls. I guess that was supposed to be comforting and encouraging. The other option that was offered was for her and her roommate to enter the room swap later in September to see if other students would be interested in swapping. I think that it would be highly unlikely that students in an air conditioned room would be willing to switch to a cramped non air conditioned room. I am extremely disappointed by the response that I have received. I really expected better for those in charge of making decisions for the students. I know that there are vacancies in air conditioned buildings that could be made available. Everyone that registers doesn’t show up at the start of the year. In addition, I don’t think that students staying in Wicomico, which was built in 1954, and other non air conditioned rooms that are categorized as “traditional doubles” should be charged the same room fee as who are housed in the brand new Prince Frederick Hall with air condition, free laundry facilities and other amenities. That is appalling and from what I understand, is different than practices at other Universities where room rates vary depending on size, amenities, etc. I was told by the Assistant Director of Res Life that the University is looking at charging different room rates starting next year. My thought is that is should have been started this year. Room rates for Wicomico Hall and other non air conditioned dorms should not be the same. Today was the first day that my daughter and her roommate had some relief as the temperature was somewhat lower today. They have two fans and a window fan in their room that stay on constantly. In addition, on the really hot days the smell from the bathroom seeps into the hall making for an even more uncomfortable environment. Was anyone else aware that the room rates were the same for all rooms that fall into the same category, regardless of the size and amenities? (i.e. all traditional doubles are charged the same rate, regardless of size, air, etc.) Any thoughts?
Also - looking around online, I found documents dated in 2011 announcing plans for Prince Frederick Hall to be built indicating that Wicomico and a couple other older dorms would be closed when Prince Frederick Hall opened. I’m not sure why the older dorms remain open - but I was just told that plans were updated. I wasn’t given a specific reason why. I found that to be interesting. Thanks for your comments and feedback!</p>
<p>Just a note, Prince Frederick does not have free laundry amenities. However, I completely agree with how unfair students pay identical costs for completely different housing conditions. </p>
<p>@sharjack, to tell you the truth I didn’t realize the cost was the same. I agree with you that it should be cheaper to live in an old building with no a.c than the brand new dorms. On the up side, at least the old dorms have asbestos…lol…ugh.</p>
<p>I found this article posted in the Diamondback yesterday quite interesting. It’s a student’s perspective of Prince Frederick vs. Wicomico Hall. It’s a very interesting read.</p>