The administration’s response to the recent off-campus housing crisis has been admirable. Georgetown students forced from their homes by safety violations were guaranteed free housing. In addition to providing housing to needy students, administrators even aided students in moving their belongings out of condemned houses.
The quick response, not only of the administration, but of students and the community in general, deserves praise.
Tuesday night, the Georgetown University Student Assembly passed a resolution condemning local landlords for allowing the decay of student residences and urging the University to become more involved in the off-campus housing process. The GUSA resolution echoes a sentiment expressed by many in the week following the tragic fire at 3318 Prospect Street: the desire to make the Georgetown neighborhood safer.
In the resolution, GUSA praises the willingness of the administration to aid students displaced by code violations in their rental homes. Students and residents seem to have put aside their differences in order to focus on safety. A student house in Foggy Bottom was deemed unsafe after students admitted an inspector called by a worried neighbor.
On campus, students have united to aid the five students who lost most of their possessions in the fire. Over $3,800 has been raised and donations continue to pour in.
Last week, this page called for the University community to take responsibility for the safety of off-campus student housing. Georgetown has risen to the challenge. We are happy to report that the University has met our expectations in this most serious issue.
