By Amy Bourji---

ÒWhere will you be living this year?Ó was the question which most female graduate students, especially ex-dorms residents, faced at the beginning of the academic year, when their privilege to live in the dorm of their choice was taken away from them. In other words, they were Òkicked outÓ of their previous residence halls. Last year, female dorm residents were asked to reapply, as usual, for dormitories towards the end of Spring 2001. However, masters students from New WomenÕs (NW) and Bustani dorms were astonished to find out, by coincidence early September, that they had lost their places in their regular dorm and had been moved to Jewett or Murex. ÒMy roommate and I found out by accident through a friend that our names were not on the NW list,Ó said Diala Hawi, a psychology masters student. ÒWeÕve lived in our room for 3 years, so NW is like our home. The new rule is just not fair,Ó she concluded. This rule is not a written one however, according to the Student Affairs Office. ÒThis year at the beginning of the semester, all dorms were completely full, so we had to revert to the general guidelines of the university,Ó said Dr. Talal Nizameddine, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. These principles stated that priority was to be given first to freshman students, second to previously residing undergraduates, then to new coming undergraduate students and finally, to graduate students. In distributing the students among the residence halls, according to the above rules, NW and Bustani were automatically filled to capacity, leaving the masters students to be placed in Murex and Jewett. ÒItÕs just a matter of space. This year had a lot of competition,Ó Nizameddine added. ÒThis year has seen the largest number of residents in dorms,since 1995 (according to the records IÕve seen),Ó he concluded. When asked about her knowledge of this already existing law, Dima Alaeddine, 2nd year graduate Public Health student replied, ÒI have never heard of this rule. It was a shock to hear they moved me from my room and away from my roommate. I was so upset at the procedure ,and I really hope they will change it.Ó Consequences of the enforcement of this regulation left students running around looking for apartments at the last minute because they were not satisfied with the dorm they were placed in. Head residents were even confused because of their inability to help the students in such a situation. Miss Ibish, Head Resident of NW, said, ÒI didnÕt have any say in the matter. It was all the decision of the Office of Student Affairs.Ó Medical students were allowed to keep their spaces in the dorm of their choice because they were considered slightly different by the university. Nizameddine said, ÒMany med students were undergraduates and continue without changing their status, whereas masters students leave and almost Ôcome in fresh.ÕÓ Lorraine Khoury, English Language graduate reacted saying, ÒI disagree with this concept. In applying for my graduate studies, I was also considered an Ôold studentÕ and, therefore, I feel I deserve equal privileges as the medical students. And anyways, they are entering a completely different school, whereas we are remaining within our departments.Ó The issue in the Office of Student Affairs seems to be that of space and their inability to satisfy all students because of the extreme popularity of both NW and Bustani. However, the problem for the graduate students, lies in their disappointment at not being allowed to maintain their space in the residence hall of their choice.