Academy Overenrollment Places Pressure on Housing

By: Lilia Feckteau, Amy Lin, Andrew Yuan, Leo Zhang, Selim Kim

In the wake of the current 2022-2023 school year, students have reported an increase in emergency doubles and triples within dormitories. This issue is particularly felt amongst those in female dorms, notably Dunbar, Amen, and Wheelwright. Many students speculate that the cause for the sudden increase may be a result of over-enrollment. 

Dean of Enrollment William Leahy reported that the Academy received 222 preps, 62 lowers, 25 uppers, and 31 Seniors and Post-Graduates, combining for a total of 340 new students. Though Leahy has stated that the total enrollment rate is relatively consistent with previous years, he admits that the student body is over-enrolled by 7 students, 1 being boarding and 6 being day.

Leahy explained that the renovation of Merrill and Langdell Hall played a role in over-enrollment. As the two dorms were taken offline, Leahy said, “we increased the number of enrolled day students and reduced the number of boarding students to help alleviate some of the temporary pressure on housing.”

“The admission office annually reviews its enrollment modeling to account for changes in historical trends and meets with the Dean of Students office before finalizing our enrollment targets,” he continued.

Despite the small numbers of over-enrollment, many new students have still found themselves placed in makeshift doubles and triples. To some, residing in such spaces has been an unexpected adjustment. 

For prep Maya Ilangovan, who lives in an emergency double in Amen Hall, the experience has been both “good and bad.” Illangovan explained, “We have to share a closet, which isn’t too bad since it’s a walk-in closet, but sometimes it gets a little bit cramped.” 

Prep Amelia Post, who currently resides in an emergency triple in Wheelwright, noted that getting a triple was a bit of a surprise. “On the dorm request form, I remember saying that I’d love a roommate, but a triple is just probably not something I would like,” Post said. But she still approached the arrangement with a positive mindset, convincing herself that “this is gonna be an experience.” Afterwards, Post reflected, “it’s honestly been great because both my roommates are incredible…I’m actually pretty glad I got a triple.”

In fact, like Post, many students have expressed that the emergency doubles and triples actually feel quite accommodating. Prep Victoria Vanderslice, who is in an emergency double in Dunbar, is another one of those students.“I feel like for a freshman, it’s a really great room…Most seniors and uppers that I know were in that room all had a great experience. So for a smaller room in that dorm, I think it’s a great size,” Vanderslice said. 

She continued, “What I think is great about my room is that it’s very distinct about which person has which side. My dresser’s on my side, my desk is on my side, my bed is on my side, and it’s easy to have a separation. I don’t feel like I’m necessarily sharing my personal space with someone else. So, it’s very easy to have our own boundaries.”

However, one’s experience in an emergency double or triple may differ by dorm. Vanderslice noted that it is also based on an element of luck. “I do know a lot of people that live in three-person rooms and they add a lot more space. But, maybe another person is really cramped. So I do think it is really luck,” Vanderslice said. 

Senior and Gould House proctor Alysha Lai mentioned, “I was also told that we have enrolled more girls in these recent years so girls’ dorms have been more full.” “We have a double in Gould House which has been an emergency triple these last 2 years,” she added. Lai thinks “[The modification] might be because New Hall is not accepting preps this year.”

Though there has indeed been an increase in the number of emergency doubles and triples this school year, many students note that it is not a major issue. Prep Tiffany Sun, residing in an emergency triple in McConnell Hall stated, “my roommates and I have agreed to rotate between the rooms, each person would get the single for one term…[and] we share a private bathroom, which worked out pretty well with just us three.” Sun concluded, “I’m sure that for us, at least, we were able to and will be able to troubleshoot through most of the issues.”