<p>According to multiple incoming first-years who have called the housing office this morning, housing notifications (which had already been delayed a week and we were told yesterday would be available by this friday) have been delayed an extra 2 to 2.5 weeks beyond that.</p>
<p>Anyone have any more info on the situation?</p>
<p>Anyone know Why the delay?? </p>
<p>David</p>
<p>bn12gg - According to an email I received yesterday from the director of the HONS (heads of new students) program, the housing office is working hard to make sure everyone is placed in an “appropriate spot”. Also, first-years were previously told that the delay is due to a technical glitch (I don’t think they’ve specified to anyone the nature of that glitch). I’m sure problems have also arisen from the fact that the class of 2015 is over-enrolled – I know that during room draw this past April, several rooms that are typically reserved for first-years had to be opened up to rising sophomores.</p>
<p>I’m assuming that at this point, they’ve made most of the housing assignments but are still waiting a) for more seniors to move off-campus and b) for more first-years to decide to take a gap-year or not attend Smith at the last minute. Last year, houses’ study rooms had to be used for temporary housing; I don’t know if the housing office has already assigned new students to temp housing for this year. I also don’t know if they’ve already put new students in forced doubles or forced triples.</p>
<p>Thanks. Bottomline-- Toooo many students and the residences are overwhelmed.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how many students were suppose to matriculate in the class of 2016?
I suspect this is a back to back second large class. Just a theory-- again, anyone with some real numbers of firsties.</p>
<p>David</p>
<p>An email I received about a month ago stated that there are 673 first-years. I don’t know if there’s been any summer melt that has decreased that number. I think there were supposed to be 640-660 first-years.</p>
<p>All very interesting. Yes the original “target” was 640. Then they went to the waiting list which is odd since if you are at that point you should be able to control the overall size of the class. Now they are up to 673 after last year’s class of 695. Also, I was thinking maybe fewer juniors are going abroad due to the instability in Europe? Just a thought.</p>
<p>My daughter joked that it was because they couldn’t find anyone to fit her roommate matching profile!</p>
<p>Haha good one. Welcome to CC mystery guest. ;)</p>
<p>Didn’t Smith admit from the waitlist this year? So how did they manage to over-enroll?</p>
<p>Yes they did. That was the point I was making below.</p>
<p>I was also surprised when Smith decided to admit from their waitlist. Does anyone know how many first-years had enrolled before people from the waitlist were accepted? I doubt they would go to the waitlist if they had already hit their target of 640 students, especially when they consider the fact that the c/o 2015 is over-enrolled.</p>
<p>Oops, sorry Bossof51! I should have read more carefully before posting… I’m a little stress-frenzied over the whole thing :P</p>
<p>FYI- I spoke with the Residential Life Office an hour ago. I am advised that Ms. Shaw the head of the office will be contacting firsties by e mail on Friday to update them on the situation with regard to residences. I am told daughter will have a room. Great be/c I’ve paid for it!</p>
<p>I called due to the fact that I am beginning to encounter a certain degree of “concern” (I’ll call it that) about housing from the wife and daughter. Apparently I am not alone as a parent.</p>
<p>Again, FYI. ps. I was my usual “sweet” self!</p>
<p>David</p>
<p>Update: current students received an email today in which they were offered year-round (Sept. 1 to May 31) housing that is open during breaks at 44 Green Street. The option would be open to 17 students. Also, the housing office is still accepting off-campus applications.</p>
<p>The firsties got that email today. Basically said nothing other than the housing assignments and roommates aren’t ready. Very poor job with this by the residence life office I have to say. This is proving to be a p.r. disaster. Poorly handled on many levels.</p>
<p>Pretty sad. A kid is a freshman only once.</p>
<p>Here’s what the email said:</p>
<p>Dear Incoming Smith Student
I know you are anxious about housing for the coming fall. I am writing to let you know we are unable to send out housing assignments today as planned. We are working on getting this done and will notify you of your housing assignment and who your roommate will be as soon as possible.
In the meantime, if you would like to know more about our residence life system, orientation program or other important information please check the Student Affairs web-site, [Smith</a> College: Student Affairs](<a href=“http://www.smith.edu/sao/]Smith”>Student Affairs Office | Smith College).
We are excited to welcome you to the Smith Community on August 29 and 30th!
Sincerely,
Becky</p>
<p>I think it’s sadder for the upperclassmen (er, -women, as it were 
) since they’re the ones who need to be shuffled around. We’ll get the assignments eventually.</p>
<p>Well, I trust we can agree that it’s pretty sad when we get to the point of debating just which is sadder-- firstie sad vs upperclassperson sad.</p>
<p>I was looking for a silver lining in this housing delay but I guess the above isn’t it. </p>
<p>Kidding!</p>
<p>.02 David</p>
<p>Upperclasswoman won’t have a problem. It’s Smith’s problem and how they are going to accommodate the firsties. As far as I know, no upperclasswoman will be forced to change their houses. My d got an email asking if she would like to change, and the answer is no way!</p>