Chapman Students ‘Rough It’ Off Campus

Dorm life has taken an unexpected turn for dozens of Chapman University students who suddenly find themselves living at hotels miles from campus.

Though the move has brought unaccustomed perks, including kitchens and maid service, “it’s been a major inconvenience not being able to live close to campus,” said senior Wynne Caburian, 22. “It’s the last thing I need to add to the stress of finals next week and just before I graduate.”

Sixty students living in 32-unit Harris Hall were forced to evacuate a week before Thanksgiving when maintenance crews discovered faulty electrical wiring that made the building too dangerous to occupy.

“It was a severe-enough problem that we’d rather have them inconvenienced than injured,” university spokeswoman Ruth Wardwell said. The electrical system overhaul could cost the university $300,000 and is expected to be completed by January when the semester ends, she said.

The students, mostly juniors and seniors, found notices posted Nov. 15 and were moved to two hotels several miles from the campus in Orange. They had to quickly clear out their most valuable belongings.

“It was a bit surprising, and I was upset at first when they told us we had to move out because there was some risk of us getting electrocuted. So we had such short notice to move out,” Caburian said.

Students were moved to extended-stay hotel accommodations in Orange. The hotel rooms are costing the university $1,000 a day.

The hotels also provide some students with shuttle services to get to class.

But students complain that the shuttle often makes them late, and that the hotels have poor access to the Internet, through which they communicate with professors.

“We’re sorry we even had to relocate the students from campus where things are most convenient for them, particularly at this time toward the end of the semester with finals,” said Joseph Kertes, Chapman vice president and dean of students. “But with our overcrowded housing situation on campus, we had no choice but to go off campus.”

The students still have access to their belongings in the Harris dorm, but with the power off, they often have to use flashlights to find their books and extra clothing.

But provided with room service, free meals, swimming pool, Jacuzzi and complimentary happy hour and other hotel amenities, some students are willing to adjust to the new arrangements.

“The hotels are nice. We get fresh towels every morning, and the bed gets made when I get back. I guess I can’t complain too much,” said senior Mark Doti, 21, a cousin of the university’s president, James L. Doti.