2008 Woodie Awards
Mack is Back!
FAU graduate Chris Mack returns to live on campus - despite not enrolling in any classes
By: Dori Zinn, Staff Reporter
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Current Issue
In Indian River Towers (IRT) West, room 588, alumnus Chris Mack gets cozy in his dorm room during the first week of school.
After already eating breakfast and dinner in the Centre Marketplace cafeteria without signing up for a meal plan, Mack settles back in to college life without shelling out a dime.
Mack, who hasn't attended classes at FAU in ten months and currently isn't a registered student, received a letter from FAU's Housing and Residential Life staff on July 29 congratulating him on his room assignment on the Boca campus. So, he figured he'd use the computer "glitch" to his advantage.
"I came down on move-in day and my paperwork [to sign in to my dorm] was there," Mack says. "My Owl Card works in the card reader [to get in to IRT] and everything."
Without paying the required $200 down payment or even filling out a housing contract, Mack received the acceptance letter while some registered students were still on a waiting list. Jill Eckardt, the director of Housing and Residential Life, says that as of Aug. 27 - four days after the semester officially started - there were 272 students still hoping to get dorm rooms.
Eckardt says that Mack was eligible for a room assignment, but he disagrees.
"I never put down any money, and I never signed up for a room," Mack says. "I haven't taken classes since Fall of 2007."
Eckardt says that while Mack's record is "private," he met the qualifications to be accepted for a room assignment.
"You don't have to be registered for classes to be selected [for a dorm room]," Eckardt says. "You only have to be admitted to FAU. It's not uncommon to get a housing assignment without registering for classes."
Mack is a former resident assistant (RA) who resigned from his post last December. He now lives in Orlando and owns his own real estate investment company and occasionally visits FAU for events on campus. Recently, he has attended a bonfire, a pajama party and a housing barbecue.
After already eating breakfast and dinner in the Centre Marketplace cafeteria without signing up for a meal plan, Mack settles back in to college life without shelling out a dime.
Mack, who hasn't attended classes at FAU in ten months and currently isn't a registered student, received a letter from FAU's Housing and Residential Life staff on July 29 congratulating him on his room assignment on the Boca campus. So, he figured he'd use the computer "glitch" to his advantage.
"I came down on move-in day and my paperwork [to sign in to my dorm] was there," Mack says. "My Owl Card works in the card reader [to get in to IRT] and everything."
Without paying the required $200 down payment or even filling out a housing contract, Mack received the acceptance letter while some registered students were still on a waiting list. Jill Eckardt, the director of Housing and Residential Life, says that as of Aug. 27 - four days after the semester officially started - there were 272 students still hoping to get dorm rooms.
Eckardt says that Mack was eligible for a room assignment, but he disagrees.
"I never put down any money, and I never signed up for a room," Mack says. "I haven't taken classes since Fall of 2007."
Eckardt says that while Mack's record is "private," he met the qualifications to be accepted for a room assignment.
"You don't have to be registered for classes to be selected [for a dorm room]," Eckardt says. "You only have to be admitted to FAU. It's not uncommon to get a housing assignment without registering for classes."
Mack is a former resident assistant (RA) who resigned from his post last December. He now lives in Orlando and owns his own real estate investment company and occasionally visits FAU for events on campus. Recently, he has attended a bonfire, a pajama party and a housing barbecue.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
Gozer
posted 9/05/08 @ 11:20 AM EST
I'm outraged and I don't even live on campus. Jill Eckardt needs to be fired.
j-fake
posted 9/06/08 @ 5:22 PM EST
Who cares? Is this really worth the cover AND the two-page spread?
I haven't encountered a single person at FAU that has not experienced some sort of "mishap" caused by the administration of this great university. (Continued…)
faualum00
FAUALumn2002
posted 9/08/08 @ 6:06 AM EST
The above poster is pretty much on mark. The quality of this paper has dropped to an all time low (if that is possible from the days I was at FAU).
They really need to make the School Newspaper part of the Communications department. (Continued…)
Dan
posted 9/08/08 @ 11:23 AM EST
Dori,
You know I love you girl but this is a pretty lame story to be a "feature". Did Michael K. give his blessing to this? New students are going to be confused when reading this. (Continued…)
Chris Mack
posted 9/08/08 @ 5:55 PM EST
If anyone feels strongly enough to post, he should also be proud enough to place with it his real name.
I don't want to be arrogant, but where has 'J-Fake' been for the last 3 years!? Is this the first time he's read the UP?
I love Dir. (Continued…)
Jordan
posted 9/26/08 @ 10:19 PM EST
OMG hahaha this is hilarious!
Good for Mack for not keeping that room (very noble)
Someone really screwed up...
Jordan
posted 9/26/08 @ 10:26 PM EST
Oh and P.S. "J-fake"
im sure about 100% of the population at FAU could care less to know you and if they do probably DO hate you...You seem like a real Debbie Downer and lack the intelligence come up with a sweet code name, learn how to laugh once in a while. (Continued…)
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