There has been a sea of confusion in George Mason University Korea's student community, debating whether the school's winter storage is accessible to all students who stay in the dorm, and, if not, pondering if the winter storage even exists. The email sent from Mason Korea Office of Student Affairs on 9 December 2020 has stated that all students who live in the dorm, including international and domestic students, are welcome to apply for the winter storage space, although the priority would be given to the international students. Despite the fogged-up situation that the statement of winter storage has unintentionally caused, the storage space undeniably benefits the students to pursue a favorable campus experience. As the storage space heavily jeopardizes the quality of the students’ residential life on campus, the news regarding the storage unit must be thoroughly communicated to every GMUK student.
When Mason Korea students accessed the email, they reacted to the news with skepticism as a multitude had been aware that the winter storage program has only been directed toward international students. Many Freshmen admitted in Fall 2020 were equally bewildered by the news, as they had been informed by the enrolled students that the Incheon Global Campus dormitory required all students to empty their room with no exception of entrusting their belongings at any storage. More domestic students than international students being unfamiliar with the idea of utilizing the school's storage space, many students remain clueless of determining if the storeroom is offered exclusively to international students, or even to domestic students, not to mention if the storage really exists.
However, as the school firmly stated and officially verified the presence of the storage via email, the “on-campus storage for international students” provides access to domestic students too. Although the spaces are limited and the priority is given to international students, Korean students can be accepted based on the availability of the room. Nevertheless, because of the number of applicants, their size, and their number of boxes vary each year, imperiling the acceptance of the remainder of domestic applicants, Korean candidates cannot always be guaranteed of their promising reservation of the area.
According to the Mason Korea Office of Student Affairs, not only are the international students prioritized compared to the domestic students but also are the national candidates of distanced residency considered ahead amongst the domestic students who live closer to the campus. With each individual being allowed to apply for space up to 5 boxes, in the size of the EMS Box Size 6: 700mm x 500mm x 600mm, the school’s winter storage offers to cover plenty of materials from all students who dorm, regardless of their nationalities.
Notwithstanding the vague state of affairs that the winter storage has affected, the storage space significantly assists the students' on-campus appliances. The subject holds such prominence for equally benefitting the student population, as not only are the international students impacted but also are the domestic students as there are students who travel distances within South Korea. By having more guidelines provided in the email which enhances communication between the students and the Student Affairs Office, Mason Korea prospects the improved convenience of the students living in dormitories.
Written by Dawn Oh | Staff Writer
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