May 12th, The Advocate published an article explaining how LSU would be among many to restrict 3-4 person dorms for this upcoming semester. According to a Residential Life spokesperson, Catherine David, "Such a move would not impact campus apartments or suite-style residence halls".

Thursday, June 18, upperclassmen residing in East and West Campus Apartments received an email from LSU Residential Life stating that “Our team is also preparing to welcome the largest freshman class in history, causing us to pivot parts of our housing model to accommodate those first-year students. We are preparing to convert an upperclassman apartment building or community into a first-year community, if needed. If this consolidation happens, you may be reassigned to another on-campus apartment community or an off-campus partner property...” “Depending on the community and apartment style, the rent rates may vary”. Simply put, the University notified the upperclassmen that if necessary, they will be removed from their on-campus housing in order to accommodate the “largest freshman class in history”.There are several issues with this, the first one being that this violates the Housing Contract, where upon signing, and paying the $250 deposit the students living in East Campus Apartments, and West Campus Apartments “have a 9 month contract and may remain between the fall and spring semesters when classes are not in session.” Section 3.b.ii-iii. The $250 deposit that they pay ensures that their spot will be held.

Considering social distancing, and the recent increase in cases, it is completely understandable the drastic changes that COVID-19 has made to life on campus, however this is unacceptable to misplace students who were guaranteed living spaces. Students who choose to live in on campus apartments do so because of the benefits. The University should take into consideration the students who cannot afford to live in a “on campus apartment community or an off-campus partner property” and the students who will be unable to make that commute. Though they assured the students that those communities would be within walking distance, both East and West Campus Apartments are located within campus while these other communities are not guaranteed to be.

In addition to this, the University has First Year Housing Expectations, which requires first year students to live in a residence hall on campus. The problem with this is that most students simply cannot afford it, causing themselves or their parents to take out thousands of dollars in loans in order to pay for subpar living. Students should not have to put themselves or their parents in extreme debt just to comply with a housing expectation meant for students who have the means for living on campus. This is not reflective of a University that cares for its students, but one that is concerned with the revenue that they bring in from these students.

It is imperative that The University shows itself to be considerate of their students’ situations before placing such financial burdens on them. Not only that, but there is also the fact that the University is still admitting students to date. If LSU is already sending out emails to students saying that they will possibly have to make room for the freshmen, why are they continuing to admit students? In order to move forward in care, I strongly urge LSU to allow freshmen who demonstrate financial need and do not meet the exemption requirements to be exempt from this financially burdening expectation. This would lessen the number of freshmen staying on campus, allowing fewer students to live in a dorm, promoting safety while also allowing the upperclassmen to be able to keep their apartments without the worry of commuting and other expenses related to living off-campus.