Chapman Court has caused more issues than it has fixed

Photos by Braylan Enscoe, Staff Photographer

As the 2024 fall semester begins, students are grappling with the new addition to Chapman’s housing; Chapman Court. 

Chapman Court, located in Anaheim across the Angel Stadium, was added to provide more housing for students and aid with overcrowding. However, students have been facing difficulties with the new building and are hoping for effective results soon. 

“The main problems I’ve noticed at Court are maintenance and student service,” said sophomore business major Elisa Enríquez, resident of Chapman Court. “Since move-in day, there was no one easily available to help with any issue that we had, no main desk, no one around keeping things in order. Also, the hallways, stairways and basement are very dirty and I’ve never seen janitors around.” 

Additionally, Enríquez shared her experience when reaching out to student services for assistance. 

“There are a few numbers to call for when we have issues and none of them work. I once forgot my key, called the lockout number and it didn’t work,” said Enríquez. “Other students I’ve talked to about all these issues agree and we have complained several times, to which their only answer is ‘we are working on it.’” 

The Panther reached out to The Office of Residence Life and First Year Experience to get another perspective on these issues, however, they declined to comment. 

“Parking is the main issue, they haven’t given enough spots for the amount of people who brought cars. They haven’t offered any alternative solutions, every other building is a free-for-all yet for some reason we have numbered spots which they will ticket you (if you) park elsewhere,” a sophomore business major resident who asked to remain anonymous stated. “Additionally, the elevator breaks every other day. The last thing is rent is ridiculously expensive and far outweighs the rent of an entire house close to school.” 

Both students who shared negative experiences in regards to the new building have reached out to student services and have yet to see effective solutions. 

Desiree Oyebade, a senior human applied physiology major, works as an office assistant (OA) at Chapman Court, and has shared her experience on how it has been progressing with the building.

“I would say the most common complaint we receive is definitely about parking. Whether it be someone parking in someone else’s spot or not having enough spots for people in an apartment, I think this is definitely the number one complaint,” Oyebade said. 

Additionally, Oyebade was asked for her thoughts regarding the progress of the building. 

“I think to the naked eye it doesn’t look like it but everyday I see our supervisors working to respond to complaints and work through the hundreds of emails they get. For example, I work in the mail room so I’ve definitely seen a lot of change in the way we run the process, and it is much better than it was during move-in week and first week of school,” Oyebade recalled. 

In regards to parking, Oyebade reflected on how supervisors have reacted to the persistent complaints made by students.

Oyebade recalled, “In terms of parking, I know they are keeping in contact with Chapman Parking to ensure people are parking in their correct spots and if not, they’re getting rightfully cited.”

Nevertheless Oyebade wants students to keep in mind that it is new. 

“I think people forget that this is a completely new building that we’re all experiencing for the first time so it's important to have patience and the supervisors are figuring it out and learning more each day. Although I wish we could get more help from outside Chapman Court like from more higher ups in ResLife or other important people at Chapman,” Oyebade shared. 

It is understandable that due to it being a new residence, adjustments and changes have been taking time to occur. However, although this building is new, Chapman is required to listen to these complaints and begin making effective decisions that lead to solutions. Students need their concerns addressed in order for them to feel comfortable within their new home.