Because of Western’s inability to plan, many Western students were faced with a dilemma over the summer.

Many received letters over the summer, that said the university was short on bedding. Upperclassmen were out of luck and freshman could be placed on a waiting list.

Besides being a public relations nightmare for the Western (stories about the fiasco ran in the Daily News and the Courier Journal), it has left many freshmen out of an integral part of college life.

Let’s face it, living in the dorms is a part of being a student at Western. Every student has hated the dorms at some point in their life. They’ve seen the questionable items in the bathroom and they’ve been up until 5 a.m. because of a neighbors thumping radio.

It’s just part of the transition to college. Most new kids probably live in a hall with other freshman.

Together, learn to face the Hill – and growing up.

But because of poor planning, many freshman won’t get that opportunity.

Although housing administrators aren’t giving numbers for how many freshmen were denied a bed, its probably significant.

Until the all dorm renovations are complete, and until administrators manage to tame our enrollment growth, housing will continue to be a problem.

And if administrators are smart (and we hope they are), they’ll start planning for next year’s housing crunch now.

Suspend sophomore on campus living until all renovations are complete. The administrators have already said that more upperclassmen are living on campus to enjoy the renovated dorms. Get rid of the sophomore requirement, and a few more spaces will open up. We guarantee it.

Don’t promise anyone a dorm after June 1. By then, administrators should know about how many freshman are coming to school and upperclassmen have had more then enough time to register for housing.

Come August, you’re on your own for housing.

This might allow for a little more planning.

College is about making friends and learning to live on your own. Dorm life is important in this process.

But because the university didn’t plan, the transition might be a little rockier for some.

This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald’s 10-member board of student editors.