EXPEDITED REPEAL
The Following Sections are Proposed for Expedited Repeal: WAC 478-156-014 Assignment priority.
Rules Proposed for Expedited Repeal Meet the Following Criteria: Rule is no longer necessary because of changed circumstances.
Any person who objects to the repeal of the rule must file a written objection to the repeal within thirty days after publication of this preproposal statement of inquiry.
Address Your Objection to: Rebecca Goodwin Deardorff, Director, Administrative Procedures Office, via one of the following routes: U.S. mail 4014 University Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98105-6203; campus mail Box 355509; e-mail adminpro@u.washington.edu; or fax (206) 616-6294.
Reason the Expedited Repeal of the Rule is Appropriate: WAC 478-156-014 sets out university policy regarding assignment priorities for the residence halls. Under the provisions of this section, priority is given to returning residents; all other students are considered by date of application. For the past several years, the university has faced growing demand for residence hall space. In response to this increase - which is due to freshman class enrollment increases, high retention rates among residents, and private market factors - the office of housing and food services has maximized its capacity by converting double rooms to triple occupancy, returning office space to student rooms, designating Stevens Court for returning residence hall students, and planning the construction of additional undergraduate single-student housing. Still, student housing remains a scarce resource and decisions regarding its allocation are best made annually with careful consideration of current circumstances. For example, at times when housing is in high demand, it may be beneficial to emphasize housing for incoming freshmen, as a means of fostering their successful transition to university life.
The university proposes replacing the WAC rule with an annual plan for residence hall assignments. The director of the office of housing and food services would submit to the vice-president for student affairs a residence hall assignment plan, which would present residence hall capacity, expected demand, and a complete description of the priority system to be used for the upcoming autumn quarter assignments. The plan would be made available to students and the general public by publication on the university's web site. This change would allow for modifications to residence hall assignment policies to meet the emerging priorities of the University of Washington and its students.
March 15, 2001
Rebecca Goodwin Deardorff, Director
Administrative Procedures Office