Nearly a month into their first semester, USC spring admits are still living in makeshift lounges due to a lack of on-campus dorm space.
USC is currently housing newly admitted residents in various study lounge spaces throughout different dorms, and the rise in the hall's population raises concerns about noise levels and fire hazards. The residential halls include Pardee Tower, New North Residential College and Fluor Tower.
New North RA Hanna Adams said that the new lounge residents aren't the only ones facing discomfort. She added that her residents, "are mad at the situation," and that USC Housing is "taking their lounge away, and that's something they were promised when they signed to live in New North."
On its website, USC Housing advertises New North by its ample amenities, stating: "The study rooms and television lounges on each floor offer both quiet reading space and an excellent place to meet with friends." However, the overpopulated environment defies this claim and detracts from the comfort that USC claims to provide. Students are often forced to seek external study and social spaces.
This isn't a new solution to the housing problem. USC alum and Annenberg Media affiliate Jenn de la Fuente recalled seeing students living in lounges back when she attended in 1997.
Annenberg Media reached out to housing officials for statistics and comment. They did not respond in time for publication.
"Beyond the first floor it just brought a lot of people down here, so it's louder," said Meredith Ficery, a resident of New North. "But I am sure it affects the people upstairs more since [the lounge] was their go-to place."
"I find it to be a little more difficult to study," said Sam Abukhadra, another resident of New North. "It was a nice place to study but now I've been having to go to different floors to try and see if there are other study spaces open. Sometimes I'll go to a different floor and there won't be any spots, so I'll have to go all way to the library."
Fall and spring admits lament not only the loss of study spaces, but also the ability to socialize within the dorms.
"It has affected my friends, it completely affected their study schedules so they spend a lot of time at Leavey and Doheny," said Brendan Hastings, a resident of New North. "We kind of wish we had our lounge back, it would be great."
Additional reporting by Oliver Scott.
Are you a Spring admit who lives in a dorm lounge? We want to hear from you, contact newseditorusc@gmail.com