Each and every time, move-in is a marathon. In winter quarter, students are given less than 24 hours before classes begin to settle back into their lives; all without food. After flights and shuttles, not to mention a hefty tuition and meal plan, students must spend more money on finding food beyond campus. Until 7 a.m. Monday morning, the dining halls refuse student access, so even unlimited has its limitations. What is one day to the resident halls, what is one day to dining services? Let’s give our students some breathing room, perhaps an extra day, for when they return to continue their academic careers here at DU.
Due to the quarter system. within a couple of weeks we will be on a very extended break from school and that means packing up a significant portion of our dorms. Seven weeks worth of clothes, shoes, movies and the other essentials are stuffed into duffel bags and lugged home.
“Home” obviously varying for many people, as not everyone lives within a twenty-minute drive; some people do not even live on this continent. Perhaps you live in Denver, the mountains or Colorado Springs, but many DU students are flying every which way and often very far: Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, maybe even Hawaii, not to mention our extensive international student population.
International students are awarded about four extra days to move in, this is appropriate as they are most likely traveling the farthest and also experience the most adjustment. However, many other students are moving from time zone to time zone, driving close to twenty hours or taking flights upwards of four hours.
Even students with minimal traveling time or expenses have to relocate their lives within a constricted timeframe. All students should be offered extra time to acclimate themselves to the new time zone, altitude or even just the new quarter.
In the current system students, regardless of jetlag or number of boxes, must entirely unpack their lives, catch up with friends and sleep within less than twenty-four hours before they are once again in a classroom.
This also impacts students’ ability to find cheap flights, as they are significantly limited in their dates and times. It doesn’t appear that the university has much interest in enabling students to travel economically. But it isn’t just about the money; the time limitation does not give much flexibility for the unseen flight delay, necessary Bed, Bath & Beyond runs or general stress.
If we are expected to be living on campus Jan. 5, we expect to be provided food Jan. 5. Instead of 24 hours before classes begin, how about giving us at least 48 hours? As students of DU our lives are fast- paced and often crazy, giving us an extra day to readjust to our DU living situations would be appreciated. Let’s limit the stress placed on our students and allow students to begin the winter quarter with bright eyes and fresh minds.
