YOUTH

"State institutions fail to provide adequate shelter for over one million university students."

Bilgi University's Youth Studies Center brings up the question of lodging on May 19 National Day of Youth and Sports.

According to a survey conducted by the center, 82 percent of the students demand easier conditions of rent provided by local authorities and the central government. The project, titled "Youth and Lodging" was conducted in 10 cities, as face-to-face interviews with 425 university students. Some findings are as follows:

Students' biggest expenses are lodging followed by food. 38 percent of their budget is consumed by rent etc. while another 30 percent is allocated to food.

Students' first choice of lodging is sharing a house with peers. State residences are the least preferred. As they go senior from junior, more and more students leave state residences and move to private housing with friends. Young women want to live alone, quoting problems when living with parents, such as not being able to invite friends or staying out late at night.

Among those who share a house with friends, one in three doesn't have a private room. 43 percent would live alone, if possible.

Male students would find housing in student heavy districts while females are allowed into "familial apartments."

State housings are found overcrowded, without any space for personal life. It's mainly parents' decision when a student stays in state residence. Students criticize lack of response from housing authorities in solving problems and meeting demands.

Seven out of 10 complain about the quality of food. Yet, without any facility to cook their own and given the expense of eating outside, they're stuck with it. "Disciplinary cautions" also receive criticism.(TK/AGÜ)