The ballots are in, the votes have been counted, and according to the Princeton Review the University has the worst residence halls in the country.
In a national survey of students, the University ranked first in the category ‘dorms like dungeons,’ moving up from second place last year and 15th place the year before.
Director of University Housing Michael Eyster said the ranking is unwarranted.
“Our satisfaction ratings when we do surveys don’t reflect that,” he said.
The Princeton Review, a New York-based company known for its test-preparation courses, education sources and books, has been publishing its annual review of colleges since 1992.
Jeanne Krier, publicist for the Princeton Review, said rankings are determined by a survey of 110,000 students at the 357 colleges ranked, which works out to an average 300 students per campus. The survey is offered at the Princeton Review’s Web site and is 70 questions long.
Eyster said he felt the University received the number one spot this year because the survey is skewed and its methodology is sloppy. Eyster said the survey only has one question about residence halls and students are asked to rate their residence halls on a scale of one to five.
“I wouldn’t call it an adequate survey,” Eyster said.
However, Eyster admitted that the University’s residence halls aren’t entirely up to par, having been built 40 to 50 years ago for a different student population. Eyster said he understands that today’s student needs more space.
“I can’t make excuses,” said Eyster.
Many students agree the size of the rooms is their chief complaint.
According to the University Housing Web site, the
standard double room offers 148 square feet of living space and includes a bed, desk and closet space. A deluxe double is 300 square feet. The most spacious rooms are in Barnhart Hall where a standard double is 264 square feet and includes its own bathroom.
Eyster said he knows that the residence halls need to be improved. He has been told that students have come through the University and had second thoughts about coming here after seeing the residence halls.
“To attract the students we want to attract we need to improve the residence halls,” Eyster said.
Eyster said those concerns are why the Living Learning Center is such an important project. Eyster said the center is the first step in a long-term process. Not only will the center provide students with bigger rooms, but it will also allow Housing to empty other residence halls to renovate or replace them.
However, since the Living
Learning Center won’t be completed until fall 2006, in the meantime Housing provides students with the opportunity to attend panel discussions with University management staff and offer feedback on a number of topics, including their living situations.
To see how the University rated in other areas or to participate in next year’s survey, go to www.princetonreview.com.

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