Students caught in housing flap
Most are blasé about UI students, including athletes, in subsidized units
Nate Green - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 6/22/04 Section: Metro
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The revelation that some UI students may have been abusing federally subsidized low-income housing at Iowa City's Pheasant Ridge Apartments has been met with both understanding and concern from university officials and students.
Tom Baker, the associate dean of students, said the university has no role or obligation in addressing the Pheasant Ridge situation.
"This is between the student, the landlord, and the government agency," he said. "The university doesn't get involved in off-campus housing decisions."
Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz iterated Baker's sentiments in a written statement responding to allegations that his son, Brian Ferentz, and fellow Hawkeye athletes on scholarship took advantage of Pheasant Ridge's low-income housing.
"It's my understanding that the students, including athletes, residing at the Pheasant Ridge complex meet applicable guidelines," Ferentz said.
Steve Parrott, the director of University Relations, said no one at the UI directed students to Pheasant Ridge. "It is all being done by student word of mouth," he said.
UI Student Government President Lindsay Schutte said it is unfortunate that students are abusing a loophole in the system.
"The students may be doing it because they do not understand the social ramifications," she said. "But they are taking the spot of someone who's in worse shape - they are a poor reflection of the university as a whole."
Chelyne Cunningham, a Pheasant Ridge resident and UI student, said she does not mind UI athletes living in the low-income housing - no matter what their parents earn.
In reference to Brian Ferentz living in Pheasant Ridge despite his wealthy father, Cunningham, a 27-year-old single parent, said, "That's his daddy's money. I respect [Brian] if he is doing things on his own. Maybe living in a place that's not cushy will make a man out of him.
"If they are doing what they are supposed to do, let them get their foot in the door."
Tom Baker, the associate dean of students, said the university has no role or obligation in addressing the Pheasant Ridge situation.
"This is between the student, the landlord, and the government agency," he said. "The university doesn't get involved in off-campus housing decisions."
Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz iterated Baker's sentiments in a written statement responding to allegations that his son, Brian Ferentz, and fellow Hawkeye athletes on scholarship took advantage of Pheasant Ridge's low-income housing.
"It's my understanding that the students, including athletes, residing at the Pheasant Ridge complex meet applicable guidelines," Ferentz said.
Steve Parrott, the director of University Relations, said no one at the UI directed students to Pheasant Ridge. "It is all being done by student word of mouth," he said.
UI Student Government President Lindsay Schutte said it is unfortunate that students are abusing a loophole in the system.
"The students may be doing it because they do not understand the social ramifications," she said. "But they are taking the spot of someone who's in worse shape - they are a poor reflection of the university as a whole."
Chelyne Cunningham, a Pheasant Ridge resident and UI student, said she does not mind UI athletes living in the low-income housing - no matter what their parents earn.
In reference to Brian Ferentz living in Pheasant Ridge despite his wealthy father, Cunningham, a 27-year-old single parent, said, "That's his daddy's money. I respect [Brian] if he is doing things on his own. Maybe living in a place that's not cushy will make a man out of him.
"If they are doing what they are supposed to do, let them get their foot in the door."
