RPS prepares spring break living for 36 students who are staying

Spring break is a few days away, and students around campus are preparing for the much-needed recess from school work. For students living in dorms, however, the vacation means having to make arrangements for special living quarters if they do not plan to leave Bloomington.\nThe residence halls close at 10 a.m. Saturday and will not open again until 8 a.m. March 16. Students who need housing accommodations are required to apply for a space and pay a non-refundable $50 fee.\nThat money will pay for custodial services in Briscoe Quad, which will serve as break housing, said Pam Sprong, RPS assistant director of communications and marketing.\nAbout 36 people are currently signed up to stay in the dorm during break, said Bob Weith, director of residential operations.\n“It is unsafe and very costly to allow only two or three people in each center for a week,” he said.\nStudents staying at IU will most likely be housed in the Briscoe lounges, he said. Each lounge is set up to accommodate four to six students. But RPS will not provide center desk service or mail delivery during the week. \nFreshman and Wright Quad resident Katherine Barden said she isn’t planning to stay during spring break. \n“I understand why (students) can’t, but I still think it’s kind of crappy because I would want to stay in my own room if I were staying,” she said. \nWeith said RPS warned residents about the limited space available during break, and he doesn’t expect more than 40 students to sign up to stay.