Before the start of the fall semester of 2022-2023, some students were sent an email that stated there was a new building available for housing called McAuley Hall. This email was primarily sent to upperclassmen as an alternative housing opportunity. As a student, I was told that I would get my own room and bathroom which is very different from the communal bathrooms at Frances Ward Hall. I was excited and immediately replied that I was very interested in living in the new building, but if there were no single rooms available I would be happy to stay in Frances Ward Hall as I had been.

When I moved in on August 27, 2022, the building was fairly nice. Although it was a little old my room was nicely sized and there was a kitchen in the sweet. Again, which is different from the single main kitchen in Frances Ward Hall. When I discovered I had a sweet mate a was a bit surprised and nervous, but open to the idea. She ended up being absolutely lovely and I would not change it for the world. However, I have a DSO or Disability Services Office accommodation for a single room due to my anxiety and was still given a sweet mate who I had to share a kitchen and bathroom with. If there were not single rooms in McAuley Hall I should have immediately been made aware and asked if I would like to still live there or if I would rather have a single in Frances Ward Hall. I am sure I am not the only student to who this has happened.

On August 31, 2022, just four days after students had moved into McAuley Hall our RA called an emergency meeting (Due to there not being many students in the building McAuley Hall only has one RA). I found out that there was a plumbing clog and every time someone used the bathroom or kitchen the clog would move. It was proving difficult for the plumbing staff to find and caused larger plumbing issues. Our RA informed us that the staff had decided that we needed to be out of the building by that night with essentials for the estimated next two weeks packed. Mind you by the time our RA found out and informed us it was already 6:00 PM and they wanted us out by 9:00 PM.

Due to the severity of the situation, Carlow University did provide a hotel and food for students who could not go home. However, if you did stay in a hotel you would have to take a public bus to and from campus. I decided the best course of action for me was to move back home temporarily until the plumbing in McAuley Hall was fixed. For the fall semester of 2022-2023, I had three in-person classes and two online classes through Microsoft Teams scheduled. Due to the fact that I decided to move back home and I had no transportation to and from campus, I was forced to have three asynchronous classes (which is what my in-person classes turned into) that I did not sign up for and I am sure I am not the only one.

On October 7, 2022, all floors were cleared to move back into McAuley Hall. That means that I and many others went more than five weeks without a normal college class and dorm experience. That is a lot of valuable time and tuition money lost. That is why the students of Carlow University are asking for a reimbursement of tuition for the time we did not live in the building, especially those who did not use the hotel facilities paid for by Carlow University. 

I created this petition because many of my peers asked me to as well as to get an idea of how many of my peers agreed with me on the subject. We do not want to cause problems and conflict, rather we want to respectfully let the staff at Carlow University know how we feel and the struggles we have endured due to this situation. It would be helpful if students could respectfully leave comments below of their struggles, opinions, or thoughts that would be great. I understand that you are frustrated and so I am I, but we need to be open to peaceful communication if we want a peaceful resolution. If any of the things I stated are inaccurate and or you as a student have something to add please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you