When construction on the newest residence hall at the University of Tampa began in March of the 2012 spring semester, students may have expected an end to the overflow housing placement at the Howard Johnson Downtown Tampa Plaza. Though West Kennedy Hall has increased the amount of on-campus housing, there does not seem to be a timeline in place to stop Howard Johnson placement, to both the pleasure and pain of the students.
“The University has had a great relationship with the Howard Johnson for more than 10 years,” said Christopher Futch, Area Coordinator with Residence Life. “They have been a solid partner for us when we have needed additional housing for our students.”
Rooms at the Howard Johnson Plaza are provided with similar amenities that students might find at on-campus dorms, such as maid service, while also including additional perks, like a full sized bed and a in-room television set.
“It was pretty much what I expected living in a hotel would be like from when I first found out,” said freshman Marcus Foley. “Though, I think I was expecting a little more from the hotel.”
Foley was slightly disappointed in the accommodations, noting that unlike some hotels, the Howard Johnson does not provide refrigerators or microwaves in the rooms. The television, though provided by the hotel, are less than stellar models that lack the necessary audio-visual cables to connect to other devices. Although, with the exception of Straz, none of these appliances are provided in many campus dorms.
With a new dorm, some students question why the overflow-housing problem persists. Ariel Andrew, sophomore, spent one semester at the Howard Johnson and vows to never revisit that living situation. Her next semester at the university, she moved into a dorm in Carol-Morsani Hall. From her perspective, the administration should focus on eliminating the Howard Johnson from housing options.
“Living at the HoJo takes away from the college experience,” Andrew said. “You’re in a hotel, you’re away from campus life, and honestly I’m sad I missed out on it for a semester. I enjoy living on campus and I wish I did not live there. They should get rid of it, because it is not helping anyone.”
The Howard Johnson staff has declined to comment on the current relationship with UT Residence Life, as well as the possible effects upon the hotel guests.
One thing is clear: after over a decade of using the hotel as an overflow solution, an end is not anywhere in sight. As Christopher Futch said: “We will continue to use them as long as the need for overflow housing exists.”
A new residence hall is not a permanent solution, as the University of Tampa has added seven new dormitories in the past fifteen years, with no large impact on housing issues. Love it or hate it, it seems the University of Tampa students will have to make the most of living the suite life.
Doha Madini can be reached at Doha.Madini@spartans.ut.edu