Campus Housing for Summer

NARRATOR:Listen to a conversation between a student and an employee in the university housing office.

FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:Hi, can I help you?

MALE STUDENT:I hope so. Uh, I'm taking a class this summer, and I need to see about getting campus housing...

FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:Ooh, sorry... I'm afraid the deadline to apply for summer housing in the dormitories has already passed. I could help you look for something off campus...

MALE STUDENT:[leading up his point] Well, see, I-I, uh, only found out yesterday I need to take this course.It wasn't really my idea; I mean...I was gonna take it in the fall;it's a course I need for my major, in cognitive science- Professor Wilson was supposed to teach it, but now...

FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:Oh, right; I heard he's taking a last-minute leave of absence next year.[not sure what the reason is, but fishing…] I-I hope everything's OK...?

MALE STUDENT:Oh, yeah-he'll be in Botswana, helping develop the new cognitive science program at our sister university there.Anyway, I have to take the course this summer if I want to graduate on time...I've got a note from the dean approving the whole situation.

FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:Ah-well, in-in that case, I guess we'd better make an exception for you![hesitating] Only problem is, most of the bedrooms are gone already...Was there any particular dorm you were interested in?

MALE STUDENT:Well, I'm in Randall Hall right now, but my roommate's graduating in May, so I've signed up for a single in Murphy for the fall.Room 206. I was hoping I might be able to just move in there now...?

FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:Well, let's see what the computer says...[pause; sound of keyboard entry as she looks up the information] Sorry, that room's scheduled for repainting and maintenance over the summer, so I can't give it to you.

MALE STUDENT:Oh, I don't really care if it's repainted; I'll be covering most of the walls with posters anyway.[hopeful] Couldn't I just take it as is?

FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:Sorry, no- it's actually a city ordinance-all rental rooms, including dorm rooms, have to be painted at least once every five years.

MALE STUDENT:[disappointed] Oh... Well, uh, how about if I stay where I am for the summer? I'm pretty sure they just painted it a couple years ago.

FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:Hang on, let me check... You said Randall, right?

MALE STUDENT:Uh-huh, Room 122.FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:[more keyboarding sounds] Oops, 'fraid not-the entire floor is taken.

MALE STUDENT:[resigned, sighing]Oh, well... guess I'll just have to move twice...

FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:[interrupting] One sec, I've got one more idea... [talking while she types; more keyboarding sounds] Here we go; there's a room open in Murphy just down the hall from your new one.That way, come fall, you'd only have to carry your things a few doors down.

MALE STUDENT:[likes the idea] Hmm, OK-works for me!

FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:Now, that room's a double; right now you've got it to yourself, but there's a chance someone else might sign up at the last minute-not likely, but you could end up with a roommate for the summer. Would that be OK?

MALE STUDENT:Oh, sure-I can get along with anyone for a couple of months!

FEMALE HOUSING EMPLOYEE:OK, then. I'll get the forms printed up; they should be ready for you by tomorrow afternoon. You can stop by and sign them then.

MALE STUDENT:Excellent, thanks!