Central State students reacted with dismay at the start of fall term after being told that they would have to live off campus. Students were particularly unhappy after learning that dozens of Wilberforce University students had secured housing on campus.
“It’s just inconvenient and honestly not fair,” CSU student Bishop James said. “Central didn’t even tell us ahead of time that we would be sharing with the WU in any type of way, and now I’m forced to live off-campus.”
Wilberforce and Central State universities signed a Shared Service Agreement over the summer, and the two schools will now be partnering in services such as dining, housing, and health services.
Many CSU students were shocked to learn that Wilberforce students had housing in Central State residence halls, while CSU students had to go off-campus to neighboring complexes at Payne Theological Seminary, the Athletes In Action campus in Xenia, the Providence Apartments in Fairborn, and Greene Meadows Apartments just north of campus.
“You would think the WU would be forced to live off-campus rather than (Central State) university students. Why am I being thrown off the yard while they receive special privileges?” asked CSU junior Jaimee Johnson, who was initially sent to the Athletes in Action campus and later moved to Green Residence Hall.
Central State expects to be able to house all students who requested housing once a new dorm is completed in late November. One wing of the new dorm opened Homecoming Weekend.