By Lou
Parent of two TCNJ students
As parents of not one but two students currently enrolled at the College, I have to question the deplorable conditions of the freshman dorms Wolfe and Travers.
In the 3.5 years since my older daughter was a freshman and resident of Wolfe and Travers to now my younger daughter staying at the Towers, I can clearly see in my visits how the school continues to ignore the updating and maintenance of these buildings while still charging students the same rate of room and board.
The constant barrage of false fire alarms, periods of no hot water, dirty restrooms and sweltering heat in August/September and sometimes even into October because of inadequate ventilation, and now the vandalism to the elevators and ceiling tiles over the weekend only shows that the College is not concerned over the well-being of its students in the Towers.
Where are the CA’s, the cameras and campus security, the president?
To now attempt to blame all the students of the Towers by passing those costs for the actions of a few is not appropriate. Should the students and parents deduct monies off their tuition for false fire alarms where students have to evacuate at all hours of the day/night, or should we make deductions when there is no hot water or adequate ventilation that students cannot even stay in their rooms because they may pass out and instead be asked to go to air conditioned parts of campus?
The school has continued for years upon years to not have a plan for the Towers. Sure, many have been talked and written about, but with the schools financial issues and lack of leadership and planning, the facilities have fallen into disrepair all while still students pay premium prices.
Outside of the social aspects of the Towers, there are very few physical redeeming qualities of those buildings and I guess it’s because for most it’s a one and done and off to other housing.
The College struggles to retain and attract students to live on campus in part because many of the housing facilities are not appealing to students, that is lost revenue.
There is a great opportunity at the Towers to do something great and make it a social focal point of the university, but just like every year that goes by, nothing is ever done and the Towers continue to fall apart.
While other universities in the area are investing and improving on-campus housing, the College has fallen behind the competition and is driving more and more students to off campus housing or commuting.
Regards,
From very disappointed and frustrated parents of two current students
