EDITORIAL: Be fair to Mayer residents

Penn's decision to transform the dorm into an undergrad residence imperils continued family housing on campus. In February, officials announced that the building, intended for use by students with families, would be turned over to undergraduates over the course of several years. Many graduate students moved into the building or retained their apartments with the understanding that they could keep them until they earned their degrees. This move calls into question the University's commitment to provide housing for students with families. While officials said that some Mayer Hall residents could be relocated to Sansom Place, Mayer is the only on-campus dorm equipped for family-style living. Housing officials owe it to concerned students to clearly articulate a policy regarding accommodations for students with families. We would welcome renovations to Sansom Place apartments that would make them more suitable for family life. Also, Penn's decision to speed up the timetable for Mayer's transformation was made without consulting dorm residents, many of whom may be forced out of their homes earlier than anticipated. The nature of graduate student housing makes this a problem. While undergraduates tend to leave campus when school is not in session and usually do not retain their rooms from year to year, graduate students treat their apartments more like a permanent home, staying year-round for a duration of several years. In order to correct the problems created by this decision, the University should allow current Mayer residents -- students who have chosen to make that building their home -- to stay in Mayer for the duration of their degree programs. Penn should also provide assistance locating housing in Sansom Place or off campus for those who would voluntarily leave Mayer before next fall. The University should ensure in the future that residents of on-campus dormitories are better informed of decisions being made and have a consultative role in any changes of this magnitude. As Penn embarks on a major overhaul of its undergraduate facilities, this need will only become more pressing.