Opinions mixed on Whitley changes

Over the holiday break, Residential Living and Learning made some big housing changes in an effort to improve the living conditions of students.

All resident halls underwent the changes, which include new washer and dryers, a new system of exchanging money for the laundry services, a new online work order system and a switch from cable to satellite television.

Students were not required to purchase any additional equipment to enjoy the new channels and many are very enthusiastic about the change.

"We have more channels on TV, which is always a plus," Donna Maldonado, freshman higher education major said.

The new laundry system has also been met with a warm reception from residents.

"I really like the new channels and new laundry machines that Whitley got over the break," Alyssa Shepard, freshman elementary education said.

With the new washers and dryers also came a new contract with a different company from last semester. This change of contract is the reason behind the new payment card, also called ASI Smart Laundry Card. Residential Living and Learning gave each student their new card when they came back in the spring and each card is preloaded with two dollars, enough for one wash load and one dry load.

Many residents who found problems with the exchange of payment for the laundry services are now appeased.

"As far as laundry, the process of exchanging money is faster. I'm happy with it [the changes]," Maldonado said.

However Whitley's water is still problematic, at least in some cases.

Some students have specific complaints about the water.

"The showers change temperature no matter where you set the knob; burning hot to freezing cold. That's highly frustrating," Colby Charles, freshman music education major said.

While in other cases, Whitley residents find no fault at all or have noticed a positive change in the water.

"Well yesterday I took a shower and it stayed warm the whole time," Shepard said.

Although it was not addressed by Residential Living and Learning in the Spring 2010 changes, Whitley still has a pest problem, albeit a mysterious one.

"There is a definite bug problem," Charles said. "Somehow the wasps get in the windows without them being open."