Update: University spokesman Michael Hotchkiss confirmed to PAW via email that all students were able to start moving into their rooms at Yeh College and New College West on Saturday, Sept. 3, three days before the start of classes. PAW’s original story, below, went to press on Aug. 22. Additional coverage of the new colleges will appear in future issues of the magazine.
Some students slated to live in Princeton’s two new residential colleges, Yeh College and New College West, were expected to begin the year in temporary housing, as the new facilities were not likely to be fully ready by the start of the fall term, according to emails from Princeton administrators.
The University would not say how many students were affected, but only half of the buildings were expected to be completely ready for move-in. (The colleges combined can house about 1,000 students.) Most displaced students should be able to move into their permanent rooms by the first day of classes, and all students will “be settled” by mid-September, according to the emails.
In a statement to PAW in mid-August, the Undergraduate Student Government’s Housing and Facilities Task Force voiced its concerns, including the effect that the situation will have on the first-year experience. “The construction delays will impact student life, and having to move from one dormitory to another will be a burden for any student, particularly once the school year starts,” the task force said.
Displaced first-year students were to be assigned rooms in the former First College and remain with their roommates and residential college adviser groups. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors were to be placed in vacant rooms throughout the campus.
A message from administrators said the University’s construction team has “prioritized living and dining” areas. While the new dining halls were expected to be ready in time for freshman move-in Aug. 26, other common spaces will not open until later in the semester.