UA Housing changes for Fall 2020

Tuscaloosa, AL

Every year thousands of students move to The University of Alabama's campus prepared to start a new year. Yet, as a new semester began this fall, many students who were initially scheduled to move into Bryce Lawn Apartments and Highlands on campus found themselves displaced off campus to The Lofts at City Center due to coronavirus. 

According to an article by the Crimson White, the UA System Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $1.2 million bid to lease 252 beds in The Lofts during a special meeting earlier this month. The university decided to use the now-empty rooms in Bryce Lawn Apartments and Highlands to house on-campus students who tested positive for coronavirus. 

However, some students were dissatisfied with the university’s decision because they had already paid on-campus rates. Then they had to move to less desirable housing farther from campus. 

According to The University of Alabama Housing and Residential Communities website and The Lofts at City Center website, campus housing rates range from $5,900 to $9,800 per year while The Lofts range from $5,580 to $7,188 per year. 

Alicia Brown, the UA director of housing, faced challenges with moving students to The Lofts. Due to high demand in the Housing and Residential department the following responses were sent via e-mail.

“The biggest challenges was answering questions as quickly as possible, which included questions about changing parking permits from residential to commuter and changing meal plans,” Browne said. “Our partners on campus in Bama Dining and Parking Services were very helpful in addressing any concerns with those issues.” 

The students were notified before their return to campus that they would be placed at The Lofts. Browne and her department tried to make their move similar to the on-campus move-in process. 

“The students whose assignments were changed to The Lofts had not moved in yet when their assignments changed, and all students who had selected an early move-in time were still able to move in early,” Browne said. “The Lofts management worked to manage any issues that arose during move-in, such as cleaning or maintenance concerns.” 

Some students believe they deserve a partial refund for their move to The Lofts. Trajan Jackson, a psychology major and UA sophomore talked about his moving experience. 

“I 100% think students that were moved to The Lofts should be reimbursed,” Jackson said. “I also would have liked an option to choose anywhere but The Lofts, this place is terrible, and I would never choose to live here.” 

Another student had some things to say about his move to The Lofts.

Timothy Bowens, a sophomore majoring in news media who had to move to The Lofts, said he was taken off guard by an email in July informing him that he would have to move. He wanted more advanced notice, he said. 

"First, it was kind of a lot," Bowens said. "I could tell they didn't have everything together." 

According to the UA System Board of Trustees' agenda, the agreement to move students to The Lofts at City Center was ratified of Aug. 5, one day after staggered move-in began. 

Bowens said that during his first month at The Lofts, there was a misunderstanding with his leasing account. The Lofts charged him rent even though he had paid for his dorm on campus. 

"I had to email Housing about it," Bowens said. "Apparently, they said it was a miscommunication, and there wasn't supposed to be anything on my profile." 

Bowens said although there was a rough start, living at The Lofts slowly got better. 

"I haven't had as many issues," he said. "I would say I pretty much like it. On a scale of one to 10, I'd give it a seven or eight." 

The students now are required to bring all comments and concerns about their apartment to The Lofts management team and they will respond accordingly.

Browne said that The Lofts management have been very easy to work with and if the students have any issues with their apartment, they report it to the management team.