It’s just a matter of policy.

Senior week, May 13 to 20, has traditionally been a time of relaxation and recreation as seniors prepare to graduate. This year, however, many seniors from the St. Louis area will be forced to move from the comforts of their apartments.

Graduating seniors living on campus that maintain a permanent residence within a 100-mile radius of St. Louis must take their possessions and belongings home. The option of residing in Fusz during Senior Week is available for all graduating seniors on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Any graduating student living more than 100 miles from St. Louis may opt to remain in the Village Apartments, Fusz, or Marchetti West. However, any that live in the other residence halls or apartments must move into Fusz.

“In trying to create a policy,” explained Director of Residence Life Leonard Jones, “it was the consistency factor that mattered.”

In addition, he explained that the Office of Residence Life would be shouldering the costs of the extra week. “Our official housing contract is over with students. We’re picking up the extra cost. It’s an additional cost we’re not charging students,” Jones said.

In past years, graduating students were allowed to remain in the Village Apartments regardless of their permanent address.

The change is a result of the numerous SLU2000 renovations occurring all across campus in addition to the new method of handling summer conferences. This year, University Event Services will receive control of the Village whereas in past years the Office of Residence Life maintained control in cooperation with Event Services.

“Once the students are out, we’ll turn it over to them,” Jones explained.

Jennifer Monroe, a representative of Event Services, said the first conference will be held the last week of May.

Some students are not pleased with the policy.

Village resident and SGA Senator John Mueller said, “It’s always been a tradition that graduating seniors stay.”

Both Residence Hall Association President Loretta Kojak and Marchetti Senator Michael Fullenkamp felt the policy was fair and pointed that Residence Life had no obligation to house anyone at all.

“I think it’s ridiculous that I have to move,” said graduating senior Andrew Kaikati, who is also assisting in developing Senior Week events.

This year’s events include a trip to a Cardinal game and specials with local bars. Kaikati explained that Senior Week is a “good opportunity to culminate these four years.”

In past years, the Office of Student Life put together a whole variety of programs and activities. However, as Phil Lyons, Director of Student Life, explained, “We found that if the event had alcohol, it was well-attended. If it didn’t have alcohol, it wasn’t attended well.”

Student Life received criticism for putting on a week of events centered on alcohol, so they stopped organizing it.

“You leave 800 seniors with nothing to do and then you criticize me for their drinking?” questioned Lyons.

Lyons believes the Residence Life policy is trying to ensure that other students don’t stay and party on campus. He reasoned it’s easier to control an apartment of one or two students than an apartment of four.

In addition, Lyons thinks it unnecessary for seniors to stay a week in order to receive a diploma at graduation.

When he graduated, he received his diploma by mail, weeks after the ceremony actually took place.

With the consumption of alcohol, graduating senior Kevin Seabaugh said, “One of the main concerns from the University perspective should be that they haven’t banned alcohol from events but they are forcing students to leave campus, resulting in more drunk driving.”

“It is a recipe for disaster,” Seabaugh added.