The shortage of on-campus housing at Macalester has become an increasingly pressing issue over the past few years. While freshman and sophomores are obligated to live in the dorms, there is simply not enough housing for the number of upperclassmen who would like to remain on campus. The current renovations on Wallace and Turck Halls are a much appreciated effort that will ameliorate the situation. The construction does not by any means present an ultimate solution, however. While Residential Life has made some advances towards acquiring more housing, there has not been a sense of urgency to the discussion.

With the city of St. Paul threatening to significantly limit the stock of off-campus housing that Macalester students have been depending on, the situation demands immediate attention. We would like to think that City Councilmembers, especially those who are generally as supportive of our interests as Jay Benanav, will be cautious in their actions and ensure that a housing crisis does not occur. Yet as evidenced by Benanav's ignorance as to Macalester's own crunch, we can not depend on any outside parties to hold our interests first. We are thankful for the way that Residential Life and the Administration have worked to help students find housing in the past, and we urge the school to continue to ensure that students are able to find comfortable living situations, whether on or off campus. Benanav's impending visit to campus will be a good opportunity for both students and the administration to voice our concerns to the greater community.

Many of us either live off campus or have friends who do; we are fully aware of all the things one has to think about when renting a house as a college student. We hope that the city of St. Paul understands the needs we face as student-renters and does not add to our problems. With the current housing situation of campus, our priority is not maintenance, it is finding an affordable place to live.