A week ago, junior political science major Tom Bryant loaded his parents’ car with all of his possessions and made the trip back to Syracuse University. Bryant was supposed to sublet from a friend’s roommate going abroad, but when he arrived, Bryant learned the student had chosen to stay in Syracuse for the semester instead.

Bryant’s other friends expressed sympathy, but simply had no extra room for him, or were afraid of violating their housing contracts. After requesting help from the Office of Housing, Meal Plan and I.D. Card Services, and being told there was no room for him to live anywhere on campus, Bryant decided he had only one option left: his parents’ car.

Life in his still-packed car is, according to Bryant, ‘uncomfortable.’ His bed consists of the driver’s seat in a reclined position, and a pillow. While wedged into this tiny space, Bryant is surrounded by a computer monitor, framed pictures and rolled up posters. His clothes are crammed into an enormous duffel bag in the trunk.

But living in a car creates problems other than comfort; Bryant said he never goes to bed before 11 p.m.

‘I don’t want people walking by and seeing me asleep,’ Bryant said.

On Monday, he parked on fraternity row, and late at night a few drunken students came by and banged on the car windows for a while. His morning routine has changed, as well.

‘I just put on a fresh shirt, sneak into a bathroom and put on some deodorant,’ Bryant said.

Without a place to do homework, he spends a lot of time on the quad, and said he is beginning to get recognized. ‘The Frisbee guys are starting to give me second looks,’ he said.

Thus far, Bryant has not told his parents of his living situation.

‘I want to resolve it on my own without their help,’ he said.

Bryant has discussed his situation with several people in the housing office, including Director Eileen Simmons. They continue to tell him no space is available, even though he explained he is currently living out of his car.

According to Simmons, of the 7,611 students who are registered for on-campus housing, a few aren’t going to use their reserved spaces. Before the housing office starts filling the empty beds, however, it needs to make sure the students that haven’t yet checked in aren’t returning late or having difficulty getting to campus.

‘We need to understand their situations before we cancel their reservations,’ Simmons said.

Bryant has also been checking flyers and housing listings in The Daily Orange, but said the only availability he has found is for graduate students.

Despite his situation, Bryant holds no grudges with either housing or his friend.

‘Housing has been very accommodating, and I kind of jumped on them at the last minute,’ he said. ‘I’m pissed at no one specifically. It’s just one of those shitty situations.’

He is continuing to go to all of his classes, while trying to find a place to stay.

‘I quit smoking over the summer,’ Bryant added, ‘but now I’m at half a pack a day. What else am I going to do?’

Published on August 30, 2006 at 12:00 pm