Walking into Residence Hall One for check-in was different this year. Students were asked a new question, “Are you on the Hilton list or the RHO one?”
The Department of Residential Life and Housing received more fall housing contracts then they have beds. This was not something new, but this year, administrators decided they were not going to have a wait list. They said yes to all contracts.
“The goal is to house as many students as we can,” Director of Student Services Kay-lynne Taylor said.
The Hilton was one of three alternative housing options administrators were investigating. The Hilton was the cheapest and in a good location for the students to walk to campus. Two floors were rented and a Resident’s Assistant is available on site.
“We were lucky to get the Hilton,” Vice Chancellor Kent Kelso said. Apparently, it is typical practice for universities to look for outside housing.
Unfortunately, staying at the Hilton is a little more expensive than the RHO, Kelso said. It is about $42.50 a day for students to stay at Hilton, versus the $34 a day at the RHO. But the amenities make up for it. Students have full access to the dorms, as well as full Hilton furniture, once a week maid service and access to the pool.
Students are not being held to this option. They were encouraged to look for alternative housing; if found, students were allowed to break their contract with the Housing department without a cancellation fee. This is not a regular option offered to students.
This is only a temporary fix for these students.
“There is no spring contract with the Hilton,” Kelso said. Administrators are relying on students finding alternative housing from the RHO and the Hilton. When beds become available, the rest of the Hilton students will move into the RHO.
According to Kelso, safety was a big factor in choosing the Hilton. They have a full security force on site. The Hilton is not in USF Police jurisdiction, so they are working with St. Petersburg Police, Lt. Reggie Oliver said. They drive by the Hilton on a regular basis to make sure the students walking back to the hotel are safe.
Margret Manzano and Jessica Masucci are two freshmen and roommates at the Hilton. They like having the hotel’s amenities.
“The bed is nice and I do not want to give it up,” Masucci said.
Crystal Mellor, a sophomore, on the other hand, is not happy with her accommodations at the hotel. She had applied for summer and fall housing at the same time, but supposedly the administration did not tell Mellor they did not receive it, so she was forced to the Hilton. Her mom is not happy with the situation either because of the greater cost.
“It’s ok for the most part, but I wish I was in the dorms,” Mellor said.
Olin Meusling, a freshman, said he had allergies from dust and other irritants for the first two weeks of his stay at the Hilton. He would rather be in the dorms, but is looking for an apartment.
One major complaint people have with the Hilton is the lack of a kitchen.
“I am living off fast food, restaurant food, and fruit,” said Mellor.
USF St. Petersburg negotiated a contract with a local restaurant called Café 100. The owner is offering great discounts for students. They can get breakfast, lunch and dinner, for about $6 or less per meal.
Another issue students are having is with the Wi-Fi and internet connections. Students are finding it really slow. Meusling asked the Hilton if they were going to fix the Wi-Fi connection. They told him to “tough it out and use the landline.”
A representative from the Hilton was not available to comment.
Administrators are pleased there are so many students wanting to live on campus. Having the wait list for several years in a row have allowed for the building of another residence hall. It has been projected as the new student center and residence hall construction will possibly begin in December 2010.
