As most of us have noticed, Moravian University’s student population is booming. The incoming first-year class is the largest class in the school’s history. We’ve also seen an influx of transfer students, which is unusual compared to previous years.
While this growth is a win for the university’s coin purse, it brings new challenges, especially for upperclassmen who feel firsthand the impact of this situation.
One of the biggest frustrations this semester? The shuttle system. With so many new students, the demand for shuttles has skyrocketed, and the medium-sized shuttles, which hold about 25 people, need help to keep up with the increase in demand.
I’ve heard from students and drivers alike that the shuttle is often overcrowded. It seems that the shuttles are fixed every other week. A larger shuttle would be a huge help to avoid leaving students stranded, especially during the colder months when no one wants to brave the chilly walk between campuses.
Having more shuttles out during the day would allow for new drivers, as the current ones are probably dealing with a lot of strain. Drivers have also expressed frustration about being forced to leave students behind because they’ve reached capacity.
The only reason I have been alright taking the shuttle is because I have recorded when the busiest times were to take the shuttle, but only some have the same luxury. I only did this because I was bored one day and needed something to do, so I figured out which shuttle was available based on the number attached.
Speaking of overcrowding, parking on campus has become a nightmare. With the commuter population at an all-time high and the construction of the new HUB taking up parking spaces, finding a spot is nearly impossible.
It’s not just students feeling the pinch—professors are struggling to find parking, and it’s becoming a campus-wide issue. It’s surreal to me the number of people who pay to receive a parking pass for the semester. I’m not sure how much it would cost to park your vehicle in the North Street parking garage, but it would become a hassle as we enter the frigid months.
Now, let’s talk about the HUB. Yes, the new building is a welcome addition to Moravian, but it’s also brought problems. For one, finding places to hang out between classes has made it more challenging.
As a South Campus resident, I rarely have time to trek back to my dorm between classes, and with limited places to hang out on North Campus, I end up stuck. The same goes for commuters—where should they go if they have a long break between classes? The lack of convenient hangout spots is frustrating. Most events that used to be held in the HUB are now in the PPHAC, which can lead to fewer rooms being available for students.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that the dining halls are packed, especially the Star. I’ve practically given up trying to eat there. The space is too small for the number of people crammed into it, and it feels chaotic. I’m glad we got our booths back, but I usually avoid the Star altogether these days. The seating in the Star has been permanently downsized and will not be returning with the newest HUB building. Shoutout to Clewell for being my oasis on campus—it’s one of the few places where I can eat in peace with friends without battling for space or dealing with too much noise.
Lastly, I’ve had conversations with peers and professors worried about the increasing class sizes. Many of us chose Moravian because it’s a smaller school, and we value the close relationships we can build with our professors.
Also, when you go up in grade level, your classes should get smaller and more specified on your major, as most underclassmen get their general education classes done beforehand. However, maintaining that one-on-one connection could become more complex as class sizes grow. It’s something to watch, especially as Moravian continues to expand.
As a student living on South but spending most of my time on North, I deal with these challenges frequently. Hopefully, the university can find solutions to help ease the transition as we adjust to this new normal until we have the HUB back.
