The FCAA is pressing the University to revive a good program that was needlessly eliminated. As recently as 2003, parents were able to stay on campus, in residence halls, for one or two nights during commencement weekend. Charges were nominal, approximately $25 per night per room. The FCAA, seeking to fulfill its role of representing its soon to be alumni and any alumni parents, argues to revive this program.
The Benefits
The benefits of this program included:
Cost: At $25 (or even twice that price) the rooms were a significant discount to a hotel room in Manhattan or Westchester . Note the lack of adequate hotels near campus. Note the increasing percentage of students from out of state. Note the tradition of Fordham as a college for first generation college students, implying limited parental financial resources. All strong points supporting discounted lodging.
Convenience: parents were able to access the rooms throughout the days, wake up on campus, dress and walk to events easily, etc.
Safety: Given the numerous events on and off campus where alcohol is served, on campus housing eliminates the possibility of drunk driving.
Final positive impression on parents: even though the accommodations are not grand, being residence hall rooms, extending the offer of housing is a nice touch on an important weekend.
The Debate
When the FCAA approached Residential Life about renewing this program, they indicated the following reasons for discontinuing it and not renewing it:
Summer conferencing housing is scheduled very close to commencement, to maximize revenue from outside groups.
While recognizing the importance of revenue generation, the FCAA notes that this is the last opportunity to make a positive impression of parents and students, which will affect their donation patterns for life.
Turning over (cleaning and repairing) rooms in time for summer conferencing and summer housing is complicated by adding the two day stay of parents.
The FCAA notes that the rooms could be priced at 2-3 times the old $25 level, they would still provide the benefits above, and the extra revenue could be used to pay workers (student or facilities employees) on over-time if need be to turn over rooms in time for the next session.
Parents used to complain about the quality of rooms.
The FCCA would note that Residential Life is probably used to receiving complaints, and that as long as the advertising of the program were honest about the facilities, complaints should be minimal.
Residential Life is not staffed sufficiently to add this service.
This is not a green field project; previous records on the program should allow it to be revived without the full efforts of starting a program from scratch. Is Residential Life really so swamped that they cannot add a service with a strong list of obvious benefits?
The FCAA does not wish to micromanage aspects of the operations of the University. But when a program such as this has so many benefits, and the objections so weak, we feel we must press the point. If you agree, please mention it the next time you speak with a school representative.
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I strongly support the idea for on-campus housing for parents during graduation, and if possible for other occasions as well. Last September, I and my family brought my oldest son up to begin his freshman year at Fordham, and the nearest lodging we were able to find was at Baychester next to Co-op City. Transportation to the campus was an unpleasant hassle, only slightly more convenient than staying in Manhattan, disregarding the large amount of luggage we needed to lug to campus. I think that families coming from out of town would greatly appreciate some affordable rooms closer to campus, and I am sure they would be willing to pay more than $25 for this convenience.
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