On May 1, UF Housing and Residence Life emailed multiple graduate students informing them of two major changes to the UF Graduate and Family Housing Agreement Terms and Conditions.
Students employed full-time by the university will no longer be eligible to live within UF’s Graduate and Family Housing communities starting July 1, according to Sections 1.1.4 and 1.1.14 of the new agreement. UF also limited total residency in Graduate and Family Housing to six calendar years per student.
The university now requires some graduate students residing within these communities to vacate by June 30, giving them 60 days to find alternative housing.
Corry Village and Diamond Village currently remain popular choices for graduate students, especially those with children. Corry Village is centrally located with residential parking, playgrounds for children and a community center. It is also next to the Baby Gator Early Childhood Collaboratory. Diamond Village offers an on-site playroom, multiple gardens, a basketball court and the Baby Gator Child Development Center.
A ninth-year UF Ph.D. student, who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals in applying for a visa, said he didn’t expect the new policy.
His priority is finishing his dissertation, and he needs more time to do that properly, he said.
“My life depends on my relationship with UF, but it seems like students are no longer the priority,” he said. “We are losing several support systems.”
He said UF hasn’t offered him resources to help with the transition. He knows other graduate students who are preparing to live out of their cars if forced to leave by June 30, he said.
Leases don’t typically expire in June, meaning housing options on and off campus may be limited over the summer.
According to Hannah Farrell, director of marketing and strategic communications in the Division of Student Life, graduate and family housing is in high demand and has a long waitlist.
“These updates will assist in ensuring Housing and Residence Life is serving the intended audience and able to accommodate as many eligible students as possible,” Farrell said.
Heather White, vice president for student life at UF, did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication.
Contact Koushin Unber at kunber@alligator.org. Follow her on X at @KUnber27.
