Editorial

We find the university's decision to close all but three residence halls over the winter break to be unfortunate for students.  

We understand the reason for closing most of the residence halls but feel the needs of the students outweigh the needs of the university.  

Asking those who are staying in Commerce over winter break to move for a period of four weeks is wrong. If a student chooses to stay, he or she should be allowed to live in their typical residence. Students should not be subjected to moving any of their items into a new place of living for four weeks. 

An easy way to fix this issue would be to require those who want to stay in their campus housing over winter break to fill out a document or form a minimum of four weeks prior to the end of the semester. This should be enough time for both the student and the university to prepare. 

Requiring those who stay to have a roommate is also wrong. We understand the school is simply looking out for the best interests of its students, but these students are adults. There should not be any stipulation requiring an adult student to live with someone else. If the student wants their privacy, they should be entitled to it. 

Finally, there is the issue of work for the student. If the student works in or around the city of Commerce, it is wrong to ask the student to change their life due to a scholastic break. People get into a routine and should not have their way of life disrupted by something, which can be easily controlled. 

We agree not every residence hall needs to be open over winter break, but only having three places available seems wrong.