Over a month ago, 262 University of Tampa students and ten resident assistants moved into the Howard Johnson, occupying a full six floors of the hotel.
Today 140 students and nine resident assistants remain in the hotel, occupying three floors.
Like all residential students, those in the Howard Johnson were given the opportunity to participate in open room change in September.
Ninety-nine Howard Johnson residents moved out of the hotel and onto campus, according to Krystal Schofield, director of Residence Life.
Though many left the hotel for rooms on campus, the majority of Howard Johnson residents opted to stay where they were, many because they were comfortable, others because they did not want to be separated from friends or their queen-size beds. Aside from one common complaint, Howard Johnson residents appear to be happy with their living situation.
“The HoJo is awesome, except for transportation,” said resident Ian Johns.
But Johns said he decided not to move because his roommate began to like living in the hotel, and he didn’t want to be put with someone new whom he may not have been compatible with.
“All my friends live in the HoJo, and I thought I’d stay,” said Ryan McComb. “The commute is terrible but it’s worth it.” He added that he loves the community atmosphere of the hotel.
“Everyone has their doors open.”
Masae Klepp, another resident, said she stayed because she and her friends couldn’t get a room where they could all be together.
“We like the people we’re with. We’ve kind of become a group. [Living in the Howard Johnson] is inconvenient, but it’s not that bad.”
Stacey Ladz, another resident, expressed the same sentiment.
“I didn’t want to get separated from my roommate,” she said.
“And I love my queen-size bed. I love it here.”
Another student, Amanda Beaulieu, said she didn’t really care to move.
“I like the whole idea of being outside of the bubble,” she said.
“Right now I have a room to myself.”
One student who left the hotel to live in Stadium said he is glad he made the move.
“I like it a lot,” said KJ Surratt. “I can go downstairs and get food that’s not $15 for breakfast. And I don’t have to deal with that stupid shuttle. My friend is regretting she missed out on room-switch day.”
Surratt did admit, however, to missing some things about the hotel.
“I miss my glorious queen-size bed and the TV,” he said.
Though many students have moved out of the hotel, almost all of the RA’s that began the semester have stayed put.
“We left a strong RA presence so as not to disturb the residential community anymore than necessary,” wrote Schofield in an e-mail.
“The RA staff at the hotel has been consolidated down to the three floors and the duties have been distributed out and shared among the staff.”
Schofield stated that ResLife anticipated moving most of the hotel residents to campus by winter break.
“However,” she wrote, “we are still working with Admissions on enrollment projects for Spring 2010.”
Some residents were unclear about when exactly they would leave the hotel. Ladz said she was told by the front desk that she would be moved out by December.
“We have to leave the hotel for winter break, and ResLife didn’t want to pay to put our stuff in storage,” she said.
Resident Rob Gannon said he was told the residents might be in the hotel until the end of the year.
“We don’t really know what’s going on,” he said.
The majority of students, however, appear content with where they are.
“I got used to living here,” said Mohammed Afifi. “It’s just an experience. I’m just waiting.”
Sarah can be reached at sgottlieb@ut.edu.