Female student says thanks to Residence Life for interim housing

I was one of the last three female students in interim housing. I want to share my point of view, which is a bit different.
I am a returning non-traditional student with disabilities. Vocational Rehabilitation pays my tuition at UM in an attempt to provide me with a degree that will facilitate my becoming re-employable at a living wage despite my disabilities.

When I spoke with my VR counselor at the beginning of the semester, I was in the daunting process of moving back to Missoula. This led my counselor to the conclusion that I was “homeless” and VR policy is not to fund “homeless people.” For me, this was an emergency situation, and I immediately contacted Residence Life and requested a dorm room. I was allowed to apply for interim housing, and it solved my problem.
Residence Life was quite straightforward about the conditions in interim housing. Their office did everything possible to accommodate me and placed me in my own room within 3 weeks.
My VR case was not closed, and I did not lose my last chance to get back on my feet. The staff at Residence Life prevented me from losing my funding and treated me very respectfully. They have all been a pleasure to work with and I sincerely appreciate all their efforts to help me out.
I feel for the remaining students in interim housing, but I want to assert that part of the reason we seek university educations is to access a higher level of learning, which includes lessons in tolerance and honing our “people skills.” Please look at this experience as one of learning. Things will get better.
Residence Life cares about you or there would be no such thing as interim housing. Many universities do not have such a policy, and if I had been trying to attend one of them I would be out of luck.
Thank you Ron Brunell, Nikki, and all of the staff at Residence Life.  I owe you big time! My thanks also to Sue, Aber Hall Secretary and the custodial service at Aber Hall.

Treacy Gumeson, sophomore, business administration