One month after Boston University students moved into their assigned campus housing, some residences have encountered problems with roommates, common bathrooms and unmanageable expenses and are turning to direct swap to remedy these issues.
The program, offered by the Office of Residence Life, allows all students in on-campus residences to switch rooms. ORL accepts swap applications throughout the fall months.
ORL Director David Zamojski said direct swap is an “easy and unique” way for students to figure out a way to resolve their housing problems without excessive university intervention. The program has been in existence for more than 20 years.
“This is a way to empower students to pursue the opportunities available to them,” he said. “It takes the administration out of the middle. It’s the students exploring the opportunities and choosing what’s best for them.”
The process to sign up for the literal “body for body” swap consists of a student going to any ORL and filling out a card which states their name, contact information and room information and posting it on any of the direct swap boards in each dorm. The individual student is responsible for making the connection to other willing participants after posting their card, Zamojski said.
“I think students that are really motivated to move generally find what they are looking for,” he said.
Zamojski said he usually receives a positive response to the switches throughout the year.
However, College of Communication freshman Annie Mackin, who is currently trying to swap out of 575 Commonwealth Ave. because of roommate issues, said some students are not able to achieve results through the process, regardless of their efforts.
“There was a lot of walking and going to offices involved,” she said. “But it’s not likely that I will have much success with the program, because people just aren’t interested in my situation.”
College of Arts and Sciences freshman Jennika Weismer said not many students are aware the option to move exists.
“I feel like more students want to swap than are on the direct swap boards,” she said. “So they should take advantage of it.”
Zamojski said this program, compared to the pull-in system or summer swap, offers residents more leeway in finding an available arrangement that is suitable to their needs, especially when housing is already limited.
“In those years, like we are in now, when we are at a housing capacity, there are no vacancies for students to move,” he said. “So I think that students really appreciate having this opportunity.”
Mackin said BU’s large population both helps and hinders the swapping process.
“There is a danger of getting into a lot of long lines and red tape at such a big school,” she said. “This is a way for people to feel like they are taking matters into their own hands and getting things done.”
Mackin said her personal experience with the system has led her to believe the program only works in theory.
“It’s easy in that all you have to do is put your information up on the wall and check it once in a while,” she said. “It would be easier if it actually worked.”