Graduate Tower A may close early, dorm's residents fear

Administrators say Sansom Common construction shouldn't force a May closing, but some students want more assurance. Despite repeated promises by University administrators, some graduate students are still concerned about the possible closing of Graduate Tower A due to ongoing construction of Sansom Common. Graduate students said they were informed by University administrators that the construction of a road between Graduate Towers A and B would call for the demolition of the deck between the towers and possibly the early closing of Tower A in May -- three months before students' leases are set to run out in July. But administrators said they have no plans to relocate Grad A residents. In the September 16 Almanac, Associate Vice President for Campus Services Larry Moneta said the University is not ready to begin work on residential development. "Clearly, we are not in a position to begin this work just yet and there are no plans to close either tower this May," he said. "It is our expectation that all leases will be honored through their end date and that residents of Graduate Towers will be notified well in advance of renovation plans and timelines." University President Judith Rodin said "the only time the grad towers would close is if we renovate them" -- a prospect that would be further down the line. But Physics graduate student Greg Huey said he has repeatedly approached administrators for a written promise to keep Graduate Tower A open through July. In a recent briefing, Moneta refused to guarantee that he would not close the tower, saying only that the administration had "no plans" to close the residence, according to graduate students at the meeting. At the meeting, Moneta explained that even if a written contract was possible, he would not have the authority to make the final decision about closing the tower, the students added. Moneta did not return repeated phone calls for comment. Huey accused Moneta of taking "liberties with the truth" when speaking with graduate students, adding that direct communication with him and other administrators has been difficult. Despite the administration's verbal assurances, Graduate and Professional Student Association members are still concerned that a possible closing would disrupt students taking board exams or doctoral qualifying exams. "Students very certainly plan ahead for [the exams] and a move during that time is out of the question," said GAPSA Chairperson Victoria Tredinnik, a School of Arts and Sciences graduate student. Other residents of the tower complained that administrators did not warn them of any possible closing when they signed their leases. Graduate students who cancel their leases due to current concerns stand to face a $500 fine. Huey added that the question of the tower closing "is systematic of wider problems in the loss of preeminence of student welfare to making money." And GAPSA Vice President for Policy Matthew Ruben said the Sansom Common project works against graduate student needs. "We have been told that small businesses have been effectively discouraged from renting space," the English and Urban Studies graduate student said. "In essence, there is not going to be a lot [of retail] graduate students can afford there."