Our apartment hunt came to a halt Thursday night when we decided to live on campus again. Grove Apartments, right across from Gooch Hall, just made sense given that both of us would be spending an unhealthy amount of time in Gooch, and the idea of "free" cable, telephone and Internet sounded so much better than paying for each separately. After doing the math, even with utilities factored in, we would be saving close to $57 per month in total expenses, added to the gasoline savings from almost never having to drive her car unless we're going off campus.
I'd already started thinking along these lines when I e-mailed the housing office that Monday.
Housing Staff,
I would like to inquire about the availability of on-campus apartments in which occupants may be of opposite sexes. My girlfriend and I are interested in renting. Is such an option available in Grove or the new University Village? The idea of cable, telephone, Internet and close proximity are very appealing.
Regards,
Stephen M. Yeargin
Tuesday, no response. Wednesday, no response. Thursday we decided to let Samantha go ahead and apply for Grove. Friday morning, no response. At 4:15 p.m. Friday, I get this reply:
Dear Mr. Yeargin:
Thank you for your question regarding Housing at UT Martin. In response to your specific question, we do not allow males and females to reside in Grove or University Court apartments together unless they are married. University Village is set up in such a way that the apartments are same gender apartments. Males and females are not allowed to reside in the same apartment. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me at 731/881-7730. Thanks again for your interest in Housing at UT Martin!
Sincerely,
[Name withheld]
[Title withheld] Residence Life
I have been tempted these last few hours to send back a response informing them that we stayed a weekend in Alabama. At any rate, it seems ridiculous that we are both being denied the economic benefit of living together on university property. I'm sure we are not the only ones that find this simply absurd. I can understand not wanting two people of the opposite sex to share a dorm room (not that anyone with a brain would want to), but why is it that a renter can make such a stipulation?
Cambridge Studios, rented out by Martin Rentals and where Samantha lives now, says on the lease that an additional charge is incurred if more than one resident lives in the dwelling. That seems fair enough, as another person would conceivably increase the water usage per month that is provided at no charge with the apartment. But does it have to be two married people? Absolutely not, and whose business is it anyway? I see it as yet another time when closed-minded fools think that they can put an end to "living in sin" by preventing couples from renting a university apartment. Here's one case where if you and your partner were the same sex, you actually benefit! What would they say if they found out that Grove or University Courts became a hotbed for gay students? I suppose that would warp their fragile little minds. Yet another reason why I simply can't stand the south sometimes.
Samantha filed her application, and will likely be assigned a unit in the coming weeks. I'll leave it at that.