NORMAL, Ala. (WHNT) — With less than a week away from the start of the school year, some returning students at Alabama A&M University are facing the issue of where they will live.
“I was told that I have a full-ride scholarship, so when I came here, I was like, ok, well, I don’t have any problems with housing and stuff like that because I have a full ride,” said one student.
The student is a rising sophomore with a full scholarship to attend AAMU. The student, who chose not to share her name, said she had no issues with housing as an incoming freshman, but this year, she can’t understand why she and other incoming students are faced with an issue.
“I know that I’m not the only person that’s having this housing problem,” she said. “Even if it’s not this specific housing problem, there are still people out there that are having housing problems.”
Her aunt says that the student has been paying for housing since May, but suddenly, without explanation, she says her account was put on hold.
“If they have a hold, why let them spend their money trying to get something that they will be denied?” the aunt asked. “They are letting her pay it off, and she’s been paying it all summer, but they are not letting her get housing.”
Last year, AAMU announced its largest incoming freshman class ever with over 2,000 students. Returning students say that is the exact reason why they are scrambling to find somewhere to live on campus this coming semester.
One student who also refused identity says that at this point, she will have to skip this semester and hopes to get a response from the university to return to class.
“We’ve been emailing and calling up to A&M and trying to get in contact with them, but they haven’t been answering us, so it’s like kind of making it hard. I would like to raise awareness so that others coming in will be aware,” the student said
News 19 received a response from AAMU officials about the housing issue.
“This year, Alabama A&M University (AAMU) will accommodate approximately 4,600 students in university-managed housing. This fall, nearly 60% of AAMU students will live in campus-managed residences—well above the national average of 30% for public universities. Every eligible student who applied for university housing during this year’s application process has been successfully placed in AAMU-managed
properties. In addition to traditional on-campus housing, the University continues its partnerships with select apartment communities to provide campus-style amenities and services to all students in AAMU-managed housing.
Students are encouraged to monitor their official AAMU email accounts for important updates. As preparations for the upcoming academic year continue, no further comments will be provided at this time. AAMU remains firmly committed to student success.”
Dr. Braque Talley, Vice President, Student Affairs at Alabama A&M University
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