To: All Basic Science Students

From: Dr. Thornton

Date: March 18, 2005

Subject: Cayman Housing



I have been instructed by Dr. Harris to inform all students that in order to ensure affordable housing in Grand Cayman for May that there will be a change in our Residence Hall policy for the Summer semester 2005.



All Residence Hall rooms will be double occupancy for the Summer semester only. All rooms will be rented on a month to month basic. The room rate for a standard room double occupancy will be $662 USD per person per month. The room rate for a standard suite with double occupancy will be $757 USD per person per month. The room rate for a deluxe suite double occupancy will be $843 USD per person per month. All room rates will include utilities, cable, unlimited internet, refrigerator and microwave. Each double room will contain two single beds. If available, private room rates would be the standard published rates.



Rooms will be rented on a month to month basis and any student who wishes to move out of the Residence Hall will be permitted to do so with out any penalty other than the responsibility for the rent for any partial month.



All future second and non SJC third semester students who wish to be considered for staying at the RH must fax your application to Mary Jenkins at 1-800-565-7177 by April 1, 2005 and include your semester status as of May 1 at the top of the application and make known any request for a roommate. We will let you know by April 13th of acceptance. If accepted, your account will be billed a non refundable housing deposit equal to one month’s room rate.



As students find preferred housing outside the Residence Hall, they may move out and free up single rooms for other students. There is a growing number of private residences in Cayman for rent. Two or more students may rent these and have increased privacy.



This will make available guaranteed housing for 230 to 240 students in the Residence Hall. Additionally, Treasure Island has guaranteed 50 rooms and the prices are to be given soon early next week but are to be affordable housing. As of Friday afternoon we have guaranteed housing for 310 to 320 students.

Student rumor had indicated that housing in Cayman would be in the range of $10,000 per semester. Actually this was based on Sunshine Suites rates. It is true that the rates at this hotel will be in that range but the trade off is convenience. Few individuals are likely to stay there but some may. Our goal is to find housing that is not greater than $1,500 per month per student. Negotiated availabilities and rates at hotels are between the hotel management and SMU. If you call these hotels to negotiate on your own you are likely to be told that there are no availabilities and even that the hotels will not open until June or July.



Thus, SMU can now guarantee between 310 and 320 student rooms for May with very affordable rates. That leaves us only needing approximately 80 additional spaces and many students (in the range of 50) have reported having already made their own reservations at other locations in Grand Cayman.



We feel that when you arrive in Grand Cayman you will be able to locate numerous additional listings. We felt it was significant, however, that we provide you a guarantee of housing upon your arrival. We will continue to search for additional housing as well over the next five weeks.



I appreciate your trust in SMU and hope you will continue to see that we are doing everything possible to ensure that you have affordable housing and an excellent educational program. As part of this Summer semester’s transition back into Cayman we will be holding the campus open for extended daily hours for your convenience

__________________
Sebastien Guilbard, M.B.A
Residence Hall/Residence Suites Manager
SGUILBARD@smu.ky or
SGUILBARD@smucayman.com

I want to add few things to this post:
By April 5th, I will know the exact number of applications, and therefore will be able to dispatch students in rooms. Incoming students will have priority on their choices. Meaning, if I do not receive 250 Application by then, most likely you will have your first choice.
Today, March 28th, I have only 136 applications, therefore, the count if far from complete.
50% of those applications are from returning students. They will be the ones doubling, not the new students.

__________________
Sebastien Guilbard, M.B.A
Residence Hall/Residence Suites Manager
SGUILBARD@smu.ky or
SGUILBARD@smucayman.com

Just to be back on top of posting and make sure everyone has seen this

__________________
Sebastien Guilbard, M.B.A
Residence Hall/Residence Suites Manager
SGUILBARD@smu.ky or
SGUILBARD@smucayman.com

ITS GREAT TO KNOW THAT RETURNING STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO DOUBLE AND NOT THE NEW STUDENTS. THANX FOR CLEARING THINGS UP, SEBASTIEN.

we can get uhura to make this into a sticky
rather than having to bump every few days
ur right its important that everyone sees this..

MDhero,

I am trying to clarify things up front rather than you guys coming back and be surprised by what you get.
Once you are set at the Residence Hall, it will be easy for you to find places around. Then you can move out when you want.
Within few weeks after your arrival, you will find housing.

__________________
Sebastien Guilbard, M.B.A
Residence Hall/Residence Suites Manager
SGUILBARD@smu.ky or
SGUILBARD@smucayman.com

I have given my$500.00 deposit..I want to be guaranteed that I have a space in the residence hall and will not have to spend time looking for a place while I should be studying!

ARE TRANSFER STUDENTS GUARANTEED A SINGLE ROOM IN THE RH ALONG WITH THE 1ST SEMESTER STUDENTS? I DON'T REALLY WANT TO SHARE A ROOM WITH A RETURNING STUDENT. I HOPE TRANSFERS ARE ALSO CONSIDERED INCOMING STUDENTS.

__________________
MIDNIGHT

i agree with benjie on this, i guess we should find out next week if we're gonna have to waste valuable study time.

For all Incoming and transfer students, you will have a secured spot at the Residence Hall. You will be given the largest rooms when doubling.
I just cannot certify that it will be a single room.

__________________
Sebastien Guilbard, M.B.A
Residence Hall/Residence Suites Manager
SGUILBARD@smu.ky or
SGUILBARD@smucayman.com