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- 2014-05-06 21:25:55
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AUBG students are facing problems regarding the option to live off-campus. Some students, who received permission to move out of Skapto in previous semesters, were not allowed to continue their off-campus life. Residence Life claims appropriate atmosphere for their conditions could be provided.
As part of the University Mission as a residential campus, all students are expected to live in University housing for four years. Housing contracts are binding for an entire academic year. Occasionally exceptions are made. Any exceptions to this must be requested in writing and addressed to the Residence Life and Housing Director, who will review your case. This is the statement that appears on the university website.
Todor Kehayov, Residence Life and Housing Director, denied the rumours that juniors and seniors would be recommended to move off-campus due to the de-tripling process of Skaptopara I, even though earlier this year he expressed concerns for the capacity of the de-tripled Skapto I to host all students in fall 2014, "Nobody is going to be forced to go off campus for now, for Spring 2014. What is going to be the case in fall, we don’t know yet. We need to consider a lot of things," He also explained that decisions on who is allowed to live off-campus due to medical problems are made according to Ventsislav Daskalov MD’s recommendations. Regarding students, who were given permission in the past, but asked to move back on campus, he stated: This thing with the doctor’s recommendation is for one semester. Obviously, it concerns student health, which can change in either direction.
Denis Chorbadzhiyski (junior) expressed his disagreement with the housing policies. Even though in the beginning of the semester he was assured by Student Services that he will be able to move off campus, he was asked to stay, "Dr. Daskalov said they can give me a hypo allergenic room, and I was satisfied until I became aware that I have to share the room with another person, and moreover I have to share the bathroom with three more people, which is totally unacceptable, considering the
recommendations given by the medical commission that inspected my allergy."
Trayan Kostashki (junior) was allowed to move off-campus once; however, he was asked to come back next semester, "I think it is unheard of to keep students on campus when they have health issues that require them not to live there. Furthermore, making students, who have already been allowed to live off- campus, to go back on campus is ridiculous. That way the AUBG administration and Residence Life clearly display that they know for students' health issues and prefer to ignore them, because they don't care about the health of these students."
Dr. Daskalov explained that, based on his recommendations, the University is trying to find appropriate atmosphere for every student "Only if the University cannot provide this kind of environment, people would be let off-campus on the basis of their health needs." He also pointed out that the University is trying to improve the environment and to invest significant amount of money in order to create acceptable conditions for people with specific health needs. Furthermore, Kehayov listed the improvements that were made recently, which include the de-tripling of Skapto I, re-furnishing and dismissal of refrigerator and common damage charges.
In addition,Lydia Krise, Dean of Students, pointed out that Skaptopara Residence provides appropriate conditions for people, who require special diet. In an open letter to Dr. Daskalov she stated, "Dining Services can provide special meals for students with dietary restrictions. They simply need to contact Mrs. Olga Draganova at least 24 hours prior to the meals to set up custom meals.Students may keep food in their rooms. In fact, all rooms are supplied with refrigerators at no additional charge.Microwaves are available for student use in the main lobby of each residence hall.Each residence hall has a kitchen available for student use. They are equipped with basic cooking equipment and the key for the kitchen is available from the reception desk in each hall.The Skaptopara I café is open 24 hours a day."
AUBG Daily will closely observe the housing situation next semester for updates on future Residence Life decisions.
Todor Kehayov, Residence Life and Housing Director, denied the rumours that juniors and seniors would be recommended to move off-campus due to the de-tripling process of Skaptopara I, even though earlier this year he expressed concerns for the capacity of the de-tripled Skapto I to host all students in fall 2014, "Nobody is going to be forced to go off campus for now, for Spring 2014. What is going to be the case in fall, we don’t know yet. We need to consider a lot of things," He also explained that decisions on who is allowed to live off-campus due to medical problems are made according to Ventsislav Daskalov MD’s recommendations. Regarding students, who were given permission in the past, but asked to move back on campus, he stated: This thing with the doctor’s recommendation is for one semester. Obviously, it concerns student health, which can change in either direction.
Denis Chorbadzhiyski (junior) expressed his disagreement with the housing policies. Even though in the beginning of the semester he was assured by Student Services that he will be able to move off campus, he was asked to stay, "Dr. Daskalov said they can give me a hypo allergenic room, and I was satisfied until I became aware that I have to share the room with another person, and moreover I have to share the bathroom with three more people, which is totally unacceptable, considering the recommendations given by the medical commission that inspected my allergy."
Trayan Kostashki (junior) was allowed to move off-campus once; however, he was asked to come back next semester, "I think it is unheard of to keep students on campus when they have health issues that require them not to live there. Furthermore, making students, who have already been allowed to live off- campus, to go back on campus is ridiculous. That way the AUBG administration and Residence Life clearly display that they know for students' health issues and prefer to ignore them, because they don't care about the health of these students."
Dr. Daskalov explained that, based on his recommendations, the University is trying to find appropriate atmosphere for every student "Only if the University cannot provide this kind of environment, people would be let off-campus on the basis of their health needs." He also pointed out that the University is trying to improve the environment and to invest significant amount of money in order to create acceptable conditions for people with specific health needs. Furthermore, Kehayov listed the improvements that were made recently, which include the de-tripling of Skapto I, re-furnishing and dismissal of refrigerator and common damage charges.
In addition,Lydia Krise, Dean of Students, pointed out that Skaptopara Residence provides appropriate conditions for people, who require special diet. In an open letter to Dr. Daskalov she stated, "Dining Services can provide special meals for students with dietary restrictions. They simply need to contact Mrs. Olga Draganova at least 24 hours prior to the meals to set up custom meals.Students may keep food in their rooms. In fact, all rooms are supplied with refrigerators at no additional charge.Microwaves are available for student use in the main lobby of each residence hall.Each residence hall has a kitchen available for student use. They are equipped with basic cooking equipment and the key for the kitchen is available from the reception desk in each hall.The Skaptopara I café is open 24 hours a day."
AUBG Daily will closely observe the housing situation next semester for updates on future Residence Life decisions.