Homeless on a "Norbertine" Campus
Samantha Christian
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: News
Pat Olejniczak, director of sales and services at the Kress Inn, confirmed that the money goes back to the College because it owns the hotel. "We've had students in the past stay for a whole semester or so, we do long-term discounts and try to do the best we can to help them," he said.
When asked if the College was helping the Sauranbaeva's defer the cost of the hotel, Cynthia Barnett, assistant dean for campus life, replied that they were not. "I mean, to attend a college there's tuition, room and board, and that would be her responsibility like it would be for any other student. It's not a Cindi Barnett policy; it's a St. Norbert College institutional policy. So I'm not in a position to find an agreeable arrangement," she said.
"Our policy and procedure is that a student less than seventeen would not live in a residence hall, not because we're concerned about their behavior, but we're concerned about if something were to happen to them," adding that, "we don't really provide the structure or the staffing configuration to provide staff coverage for her," said Barnett.
When asked whether it be safer for Jamilya if she lived on campus where Campus Safety is nearby rather than walking to Kress Inn at night or someplace off campus, Barnett replied, "No, or we wouldn't have the policy that we do."
Sauranbaeva said, "But really it doesn't make any sense, if I live out of campus and something happens to me, I think the College should still be responsible because they forced me to live off campus."
However, Sauranbaeva's father has made the statement in writing that he would not hold the College liable in case something happened to his daughter's safety, and he would even be willing to pay for extra training for resident assistants so that a system could be established.
When the St. Norbert Times asked to be shown the aforementioned policy in writing, Barnett failed to give a direct response and instead mentioned that the age requirement might be in the English as a Second Language (ESL) handbook.
When asked if the College was helping the Sauranbaeva's defer the cost of the hotel, Cynthia Barnett, assistant dean for campus life, replied that they were not. "I mean, to attend a college there's tuition, room and board, and that would be her responsibility like it would be for any other student. It's not a Cindi Barnett policy; it's a St. Norbert College institutional policy. So I'm not in a position to find an agreeable arrangement," she said.
"Our policy and procedure is that a student less than seventeen would not live in a residence hall, not because we're concerned about their behavior, but we're concerned about if something were to happen to them," adding that, "we don't really provide the structure or the staffing configuration to provide staff coverage for her," said Barnett.
When asked whether it be safer for Jamilya if she lived on campus where Campus Safety is nearby rather than walking to Kress Inn at night or someplace off campus, Barnett replied, "No, or we wouldn't have the policy that we do."
Sauranbaeva said, "But really it doesn't make any sense, if I live out of campus and something happens to me, I think the College should still be responsible because they forced me to live off campus."
However, Sauranbaeva's father has made the statement in writing that he would not hold the College liable in case something happened to his daughter's safety, and he would even be willing to pay for extra training for resident assistants so that a system could be established.
When the St. Norbert Times asked to be shown the aforementioned policy in writing, Barnett failed to give a direct response and instead mentioned that the age requirement might be in the English as a Second Language (ESL) handbook.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Joe
posted 5/15/09 @ 1:21 PM CST
Great article, glad it was brought to light
Unknown
posted 9/30/09 @ 8:04 PM CST
Hypocrites! They talk about concept of "communio" and then they do this. Shame on you Mrs. Barnett for discriminating international student and for not trying to understand money doesn't grow on trees in Kazakhstan. (Continued…)
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