They’re back in the running.

Following a Student Government Association resolution last week, commuters have regained their place in the Department of Residence Life’s apartment housing process.

“I think there was an ethical issue on my mind,” said Jim Swinson, coordinator of apartment assignments and commuter student services. “Anytime you spring a change in mid-process, it’s unfair. That’s important from an ethical standpoint.”

The apartment committee, composed of students and staff, met for a second time Thursday to continue setting guidelines and priorities for housing. In addition to the original committee, Undergraduate Commuter Senator Rich Bergin and First Year Senator Chad Kreikemeier were present to discuss the SGA resolution passed the night before.

The new plan includes several steps:

 Identify all commuter applications.

 Any commuters without previous Saint Louis University on-campus housing experience will be set aside for consideration after May 1, 2000.

 Determine the number of Marchetti spaces created by increasing the capacities of vacated two- and one-bedroom units (excluding studios) remaining after current residents claim spaces; the number of additional spaces created determines the number of commuter applications to be considered for assignment.

 Applications from commuter students will be considered in order of number of terms on the SLU campus; GPA will break all ties. Terms studying abroad will also be considered “on the SLU campus” provided the student supplies appropriate documentation that housing arrangements were provided and paid for through SLU. The identified applications will be reassembled with their applying groups, and assignment appointments will be extended. Any apartment locations will be available for possible assignment.

 All remaining commuter applications will be considered after May 1, 2000.

Essentially, the number of additional spaces created in Marchetti Apartments will determine the number of commuters who can move back onto campus.

Housing priorities will be based on the average credit hours of each applying group. This determination differs from past years when only the student with the highest credit hours in each group was considered.

“This process has never been static,” Swinson said. He added that they intend to have these discussions next fall so that a solid plan will be in place before the spring semester.

The Apartment Committee understood the problems of their last plan and were pleased with the new one.

“What Rich [Bergin] provided was fantastic,” said Marchetti Senator Mike Fullenkamp who also sat on the committee.

Swinson concurred, “Rich’s input was incredibly valuable.”

“I felt awkward going in as a commuter, but they welcomed me with open arms,” added Bergin. “They obviously are ready to work with us [commuters] on this.”

President of the Residence Hall Association Loretta Kojak said, “It’s a fair policy. Considering the housing crunches, it was the only policy that could have come up.”

“Since we will not have the option of community space next year, the Department of Residence Life should stress the importance of community development among their staff,” Kojak said.

Swinson concluded, “This new plan has made for a lot of stress. Our office staff has done a tremendous job with this. I could not have done anything without them.”