By CAROLYN PLANTIN

The new housing policy has brought a lot of mixed feelings onto our campus, while underclassmen are given priority housing, upperclassmen are now stuck with living in the hotel. This administrative decision has brought many mixed feelings onto campus. Freshmen are now guaranteed housing on the main UT campus, whereas many juniors and seniors have decided to move off campus instead of  living in the hotel.

“Due to our strong focus on student success, we felt it was in the best interest of the students in the short- and long-term to move forward with the new housing policy,” said Jennifer Scaia, associate dean of students.

Samuel Maystrovky, a junior chemistry major, was assigned to the hotel this year.

“It was very upsetting to me to learn I was going to live in the hotel because I also lived there as a freshman,” Maystrovky said.

In three years of living on campus, Maystrovky lived in the hotel twice. Although he considered living off campus, he does not have a car, which would make getting to and from campus complicated. He also looked into off-campus housing that is walking distance from school, but those apartments were out of his price range.

Although students living in the hotel often appear upset about the new policy, there are some perks to living in the Barrymore. Many students who were assigned the hotel moved off campus, so many of the people living there now have singles. They get a queen-size bed, free parking, a TV, and an outdoor pool to relax in after classes. They also get maid service twice a week that not only cleans bathrooms, but changes sheets and vacuums the floors. Waterworks Bar and Grill, a restaurant located on the first floor is convenient for when students are hungry and don’t feel like coming back to campus to eat.

Liza Kessler, a sophomore majoring in psychology is an residence hall assistant in the hotel.

“There is a student discount at the restaurant in the morning for breakfast. If a student is 21 they can use the bar,” Kessler said.

Michael Rende, a sophomore majoring in business entrepreneurship had an unusual story about his housing preference.

“I actually chose the hotel as my priority housing because I have my car so I can get to and from campus easily,” Rende said. “I like the simple parking, having a nice bed, and a free TV. I also have a single since my roommate moved off campus.”

The wifi, Rende said, is very slow, which hinders the students studying habits. They are forced to come back to campus to study, and living in the hotel without a car can make it complicated. The shuttle UT provides for Barrymore residents shows up every thirty minutes, which can make it difficult to catch it on time.

“It’s difficult to get to campus on time because it’s a 15-minute walk and the shuttle is very infrequent,” Maystrovky said.

Carolyn Plantin can be reached at carolyn.plantin@spartans.ut.edu