The University of Guam dormitories are currently undergoing upgrades since the recent arrival of the new Residence Life Director Jonathan Triplett.<\/p>\n

While some residents are content with the facilities, many others voice out their concerns about issues regarding the dormitories.<\/p>\n

Eliza Petewon, a student majoring in elementary education, has been living in the dorms with a roommate for about a year. Both Petewon and her roommate flew from Chuuk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI go to class. I come back, stay in the room, and study,\u201d Petewon said, \u201cWe have a kitchen here, so I go there and cook.\u201d<\/p>\n

Petewon finds the dorms comfortable and convenient.<\/p>\n

Harley Jr. Edeluchel, also a UOG student, has been living in the dorms since Spring 2014.<\/p>\n

Edeluchel plans to major in biology and recently became a resident assistant at the dorms this semester.<\/p>\n

As a resident assistant, it is Edeluchel\u2019s job to report concerns, but he explained that sometimes problems may not be fixed promptly.<\/p>\n

According to Edeluchel, dorm residents have commonly voiced concerns regarding the rooms\u2019 maintenance, air conditioners, and the laundry areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes time,\u201d Edeluchel said. \u201cIt involves not having the equipment needed, waiting for the parts to be ordered and delivered, and also some money process,\u201d.<\/p>\n

Edeluchel also said the trash bins in the dorms are usually full.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe custodians leave around one or two in the afternoon and clock in the next day around eight in the morning,\u201d Edeluchel said.<\/p>\n

However, Edeluchel has been noticing improvements in the dorms this semester, which he attributes to the new Residence Life director.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think if you ask the other residents, they can say that there are a lot of changes happening in the dorms. For example this first level lounge room did not look this nice and comfortable. You can actually go to a different building and compare the other TV lounges. The couches and curtains are different.\u201d Edeluchel pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like it because it is a progress and we see the progress. I also like how our new boss is on top of his work and on top of ours.\u201d Edeluchel said.<\/p>\n

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Other issues<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other issues brought up were the waitlist, Wi-Fi, and safety.<\/p>\n

A set time frame exists for new and continuing students to apply promptly for a dorm room. This is a first come, first serve basis process in which all applicants must have clearance and proper documents for consideration.<\/p>\n

A waiting list only occurs when more students apply than there is available space for in the dormitories. Depending on the semester the numbers varies, but there are roughly about twenty to thirty applicants on the waiting list, and currently about 186 residents in all three dormitories.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are some students who move in during the middle of the semester. I do feel bad for having a waiting list in the first place, but the problem is that our dorms aren\u2019t that big and rooms are limited,\u201d Edeluchel said.<\/p>\n

Director of Residence Life, Jonathan Triplett said he has plans to alleviate the numbers on the waiting list, and so does the University with its Good to Great Plan. He said there are plans to build a new dormitory. As of now, however, there is not much that can be done, because there is not enough housing space to accommodate more people.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are in the process of wiring and installing panels in all the buildings. From what I\u2019ve been told, we should have the Wi-Fi installers ready within three to four weeks from now. I don\u2019t think the installation of Wi-Fi should increase the cost of living here. It should have been here in the first place.\u201d Triplett said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Safety a priority<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the first things Triplett noticed on his first tour of the dorms was the doors. They weren\u2019t working properly, which was a big issue. Every door will be fixed in every building. The back doors of the buildings will be emergency exit doors only. Triplett has also contacted companies about the key card access, which most universities already have.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main thing here in housing is safety. Everyone has to feel and be safe here.\u201d Triplett said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are heading in the right direction, from good to great. And good to great is what the university\u2019s initiative is right now. Everything I am doing is trying to fit into that plan, which is a great plan. I am happy to be here doing this process. What better time to do great things and be a part of it.\u201d Triplett said. \u201cI appreciate and thank the residents\u2019 patience and acceptance of me. Change can be hard. We are changing for the better.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The University of Guam dormitories are currently undergoing upgrades since the recent arrival of the new Residence Life Director Jonathan Triplett. While some residents are content with the facilities, many others voice out their concerns about issues regarding the dormitories. Eliza Petewon, a student majoring in elementary education, has been living in the dorms with … <\/p>\n

Read more “UOG dorms making changes”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":1420,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,3,7,12],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[268],"yoast_head":"\n