The French Fry is completely satire. Any resemblance to any real person is completely coincidental. The statements in the French Fry do not reflect the views of the Northern Iowan, nor do they reflect the views of the advertisements outside of this insert.
In light of the recent housing crisis that has unfurled within University Housing & Dining, the university announced that they will be reopening Campbell Hall as housing for students. Housing Director Rafick Anello defended this recent decision, stating that it was the only viable option for the university and for incoming students. “It would be unacceptable for us to not have enough housing for these students. Every student deserves to be able to be housed at our university.”
Campbell Hall has remained dormant on 23rd Street since 2021. It’s held many different uses over the years, such as a girls-only dorm, a quarantine dorm, and a firefighter training facility. Now, it returns to its original use of a dormitory. The only current students who may have interacted with Campbell Hall are the current juniors and seniors at UNI.
Senior Melinda Ore was a resident of Campbell Hall for a short stint due to a brush with COVID-19. “Yeah, I stayed there. Worst two weeks of my life. Good luck living there!” Incoming freshman Jolly Johnson spoke to the Northern Iowan at the recent Admitted Students Day about living in Campbell Hall. “I heard that the reason it was shut down initially was because of asbestos. So, yeah, you could say I’m pretty nervous. But what other choice do I have?”
Anello told the Northern Iowan that if the building hadn’t been cleared by health officials, it wouldn’t have been opened. “Obviously, it isn’t the best option. But, it’s what we have. We aren’t sure on how much asbestos is still in Campbell Hall, but we know that the amount should be harmless.”
With the university reopening Campbell Hall, UHD is scrambling to hire more resident assistants to work in the building. UHD posted the job on Handshake, with the job description requiring applicants to have “strong lungs and immune systems,” with “preference given to applicants who have swam in the Mississippi river more than twice.” Former resident assistant Molly Keller found this weird. “When I applied, that was never something that came up. I’ve never seen anything like that on a job application.”
Despite how unceremonious the reopening may be, most students are looking forward to having Campbell back. “She’s been gone far too long,” said Keller. Campbell is still accepting student housing contracts, and applications for Campbell Hall resident assistants are still open. Students will move in to Campbell during move-in week.
