Petition to Continue Providing Student Housing for Upperclassmen at Texas Southern University

We, the undersigned students of Texas Southern University, oppose the proposed changes to student housing that would eliminate the availability of both on-campus and off-campus housing for upperclassmen, specifically juniors and seniors. This decision has been made without adequate notice, leaving many students with limited options and financial insecurity.

We understand that finding off-campus housing can be challenging, requiring significant savings, credit, on-hand funds, deposits, furniture purchases and an extended timeline to secure a lease. Many affordable options are not located in safe neighborhoods and lack the amenities and transportation options provided by on-campus housing.

Furthermore, students who currently reside in on-campus housing have experienced unacceptable living conditions, such as mold and roaches, without adequate attention from the university.

We are concerned that this decision puts our academic pursuits at risk and creates unnecessary stress and financial burden for us. As students, our priority should be focused on our education, not on finding housing options that are not readily available.

Therefore, we request that the university take the following actions to ensure that upperclassmen have access to affordable and safe housing options:

Renovate existing on-campus housing to provide livable conditions free from bugs and mold/mildew.

Provide housing options available through the school to prioritize our academic pursuits and reduce stress and financial burden.

We, the undersigned students of Texas Southern University, urge the university administration to reconsider their decision and prioritize the needs of upperclassmen who have already invested significant time, effort, and money into their education.

Background:                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The upperclassmen at Texas Southern University have been informed, with very little notice, that on-campus housing is filled up. Therefore, on and off-campus housing will not be provided. This is problematic for students for several reasons. In order to rent an apartment, it is recommended to have 3-6 months of savings to cover rent expenses. However, with the short notice given, students do not have enough time to confidently sign a lease with the expensive apartments nearby. Furthermore, this decision did not consider students who cannot go home or rely on their parents for financial support. While there are nearby college-style apartments that provide utilities and other accommodations, they are not affordable for the average college student, and signing a lease through the school offers living security throughout the semester. Additionally, there are not many affordable options close to Texas Southern, and not all students have access to transportation to commute to and from school. Many cheaper apartments tend to be located in unsafe neighborhoods and put students at risk.

Although there is a slim chance that on-campus housing options may open up in June, this is not guaranteed, and students cannot rely on it. Furthermore, many students who already reside in on-campus housing have experienced poor living conditions such as mold and roaches, which is unacceptable considering they are still paying to live there.

This experience has left many students fearful of how they will continue to pursue their education. The school seems to prioritize accommodating incoming freshmen without taking into account the upperclassmen who have already invested time, effort, and money into their education. This is unacceptable, and students will not tolerate it. Here is a list of changes that students would like to see in order to comfortably continue attending Texas Southern University:

• Renovations on current on-campus housing options to ensure livable conditions, free from bugs and mold/mildew
• Housing options made available through the school to alleviate the stress of paying rent, which should not have to come before schoolwork.

Below are some pictures and videos of the conditions we are having to live with due to neglect from Texas Southern University:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are photos of incidents we have experienced while staying on campus: