Some residents of Nittany Apartments have expressed displeasure with a requirement that states they must move out by May 6 so continuing education students can live there during the summer.

This summer, students now living in the 5000-series apartments will be concentrated in the lower portion of Nittany Apartments near Nittany Hall and Nittany Community Center, he said.

"We've always used the apartments for continuing education (students)," said Director of Housing Don Arndt.

He added, "Very few people will be affected ... Most people living there know they have to vacate by May 6."

Arndt said the decision to consolidate the continuing education students into one housing block was made two years ago. Current residents of the 5000 series were notified last spring of their obligation to vacate by May 6.

Lynn DuBois, resident manager of graduate housing, said residents in 40 of the 161 Nittany Apartments will be affected by the decision.

Dubois said the continuing education students' living areas were consolidate d because continuing education students have different academic schedules than undergraduates and graduates. By grouping these students together, their activities will not interrupt the environment of other students at Nittany Apartments, she said.

"I think it will be a benefit to those students who are living here over the summer not to be housed next to the continuing education students," DuBois said.

But residents of the apartments have expressed complaints about the move requested by the University.

Lisa Vardzel (graduate-criminal justice), 5105 Nittany Apartments, said the University set down "terms and conditions" in the housing contract but residents were not notified in any other way about the Spring Semester move.

"Nothing was said," she said. "Everyone assumed we read the handbook."

Vardzel said it would have helped if administrators had placed announcements in the Nittany Apartment newsletter. Not many people read the housing contract's fine print or know what five phase or 5000 series means, she added.

"There needs to be more communication," DuBois agreed. Lack of communication leads to problems now and in the future, she said.

But, Arndt said when students sign the contract card, they are saying they understand the rules and conditions of the contract. He added most University housing contracts run for only nine months and most residents in those apartments are undergraduates.

"Everyone who is there Spring Semester can return to the 5000 series Fall Semester provided they realized it is an academic-year contract only," Arndt added.

One current resident, who requested to remain anonymous, said there are two problems with that option.

First, students would have to move twice in three months -- once to the temporary apartment and then back to the original apartment, he said. Second, students have received no information about where they can live during the three weeks between Spring Semester and Summer Session, he said.

Most students continue their contracts so they can live there during the summer session, the student said.

"For those of us who want to stay, they are complicating things," Vardzel said. "I don't think they are being fair."

Vardzel said she will be a continuing education instructor during the summer.

"It's almost ironic," she said. "I'm teaching for these people and they won't let me live here. (The administration's) number-one priority should be the graduates and undergraduates who are here nine months of the year."

DuBois said the University is trying to accommodate those who have problems.

"Some grad students have assistantships and will need to stay longer to finish University responsibilities," she said.

Vardzel said she is scheduled to teach two Intersession classes and would need a place to stay. Vardzel said she wrote a letter to William McKinnon, assistant vice president of Housing and Food Services, expressing her situation and complaints.

Housing availability is usually not a problem because of low undergraduate occupancy, DuBois said.

But, Vardzel said she is not letting the situation drop. "I think they should grant exceptions to students who are willing to stay for the summer," she said.