By Danielle Lane, Managing Editor
In an email from Beren Housing, students who applied to live in Schottenstein Residence Hall for the Fall 2021 semester were informed on July 1, 2021 that the Schottenstein Residence Hall would “probably not” reopen due to lack of applicants.This news comes after Beren Housing sent out multiple emails advertising the virtues of Schottenstein Residence Hall in order to boost interest.
The Schottenstein Residence Hall has been closed since Yeshiva University closed its dorming facilities back in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While other residence halls have opened beginning for the Fall 2020 semester, Schottenstein decided to remain closed.
Students who indicated that Schottenstein was their first choice dorm on their dorm application were informed in the email that Beren Housing would “most likely be able to accommodate [their] second building preference.” These students are left to pick from one of Beren Campus’s other three dorm buildings: Brookdale Residence Hall, 35th Street Residence Hall, and 36th Street Residence Hall.
Located at 119 East 29th Street, Schottenstein offers students many perks such as close location to many stores and restaurants, newly renovated bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen for student use. Despite this, Schottenstein is often considered the least popular dorm for students on the Beren campus as it is the furthest from Beren Campus’s two academic buildings.
The Schottenstein Residence Hall is considered home for many loyal residents who were looking forward to returning after a year away. One resident, Sophie Rosenberg (SCW ‘22), shared with the YU Observer, “I am very disappointed I was looking forward to spending my last semester in Schottenstein, it is sad that with all the amenities that not many people want to dorm there.” This is not the first time students have expressed disappointment with the University’s closure of Schottenstein Residence Hall as a result of low resident demand.
At the time of publication, Beren Housing had not responded to the YU Observer’s request for a statement.