ONE OF the few housing options available to university students who live outside of Seoul is the school dormitory. While it is not expected to be the most luxurious of residences, there is still a minimum standard of quality that should reflect its fees. A recent incident, however, involving a leaking water pipe in a student’s room at Muak 1 Dormitory, reignited conversation about its condition compared to that of other available Yonsei dormitories.

Dormitories available at Yonsei

  Yonsei University currently offers various dormitories at a range of rates to suit all types of students’ needs. The dormitories available for undergraduate students are Muak 1, Muak 2, and Woo Jung-won. The eligibility criteria changes every semester for graduate students. For the spring semester of 2023, male graduate students only have the option to apply to Beophyeon Dormitory—which is mainly for students enrolled in Law School. Female graduate students have the option of either Beophyeon or Muak 4 Dormitory[1].

   Muak 1 Dormitory is only for male undergraduate students while Muak 2 Dormitory is for female undergraduate students. Both offer double occupancy rooms and provide communal bathrooms on each floor. Neither of them have elevators so students have to walk up to, at most, the fifth floor to get to their rooms. Muak 1 and Muak 2 provide several common facilities, such as study rooms, laundry rooms, and unmanned convenience stores. However, Muak 2 requires higher fees than Muak 1—₩900,600 for the former and ₩843,600 for the latter—due to a few key differences. For one, Muak 1 is the only dormitory that uses radiators as a source of warmth, and they are controlled by a central heating system. All of the other dormitories at Yonsei provide individually adjustable heating that warms up the entire room. Additionally, Muak 2 is the only dormitory building that contains a cafeteria for students to dine in as well as a dry-cleaning shop. One facility Muak 2 lacks that is provided to a few of the other dormitories, however, is its own fitness room[1].

   Many male students have little choice but to live in Muak 1 despite the low quality. This is because dormitories are often the only viable option for students whose families reside outside of Seoul. Those with financial limitations cannot afford more expensive housing alternatives, such as living in a small studio around Sinchon. Additionally, competition for dormitories is high—especially for dorms of higher quality such as Woo Jung-won—thus many may try their luck with the less desirable option.

   Woo Jung-won is considered by students as the best dormitory available for undergraduates. It is more expensive than both Muak dormitories, with the options being a triple occupancy room for ₩923,400 or a double occupancy room for ₩1,436,400 in the spring semester of 2023. Each room in Woo Jung-won has its own bathroom as well as a mini refrigerator. In addition to the facilities provided in the Muak dormitories, Woo Jung-won has a communal study space, self-kitchen, and common room. It also has an elevator so students who need to go to the top floors can do so with ease[1].

   While there are more dormitories available at Yonsei, they have special eligibility standards. For example, students from the College of Dentistry and College of Nursing live in Muak 3 Dormitory while Chejung House is reserved for students from the College of Medicine. Yonsei also offers the SK Global House and International House for exchange students, visiting students, and students enrolled in the Korean Language Institute (KLI) program. SK Global House provides—on top of the common facilities—a coffee shop, cafeteria, restaurants, a GS25 convenience store, and music room[1].

Radiator water pipe bursts in Muak 1

   On Jan. 20, 2023, a resident in Muak 1 posted on “Everytime,” an app where students can discuss within their university communities, about an incident that occurred in their room. According to the student, a radiator water pipe burst around 5:30 a.m., causing an onslaught of hot water onto the sleeping student’s blanket. Luckily, the hot water did not come into contact with his skin and he was able to escape swiftly[2]. The student reportedly opened his room door to prevent his room from being flooded, causing the hot water to travel down the stairs to the second and third floors. He and the residents in two other rooms were forced to evacuate even though it was too cold to withstand standing on the floor for a prolonged period of time[3]. With the help of fellow residents, he was able to contact the housing office and within 15 minutes, the water leakage issue was solved[2]. His clothes and belongings were damaged by the water, and the student said that he would be seeking monetary compensation from the school[3]. This incident adds more fuel to the ongoing discussions around the flaws of Muak 1 Dormitory’s facilities.

Other issues surrounding Muak 1

   Many male students residing in Muak 1 Dormitory at Yonsei University have made complaints about the stark difference in the quality of their dormitory’s facilities and others offered by Yonsei, particularly Muak 2. One of the biggest complaints about Muak 1 stems from the frustration revolving the lack of adequate heating. In an interview with The Yonsei Annals, a senior enrolled at Yonsei University who was a former resident of Muak 1 Dormitory, Student A, explained that Muak1 was the only dormitory at Yonsei to rely on radiators to keep warm throughout the winter. Thus, having cold hands and feet would be the norm, especially since the heating would be turned on and off intermittently. Another former resident of Muak 1 who is a junior at Yonsei University, Student B, told the Annals that in summer, since every room was given a remote control for air conditioners, staying cool was easy. In contrast, as they were not able to control the heating in winter, it was incredibly cold, especially in October and November when the temperatures were irregular. Sometimes, he claimed that he had to resort to sleeping in his varsity jacket. Student B added that, if the heating was too strong there would definitely be some students who would complain, so the best solution would be to allow each room with individual control over the radiator. Contrary to the experiences of Muak 1 residents, students living in all of the other dormitories have floor heating as well as permission to control how heated their own room could be.

   Many male students have also taken issue with the state of the bathrooms in Muak 1. Student A explained that during the summer, there are stink bugs and other insects plastered over the window frames in the communal bathrooms and shower stalls of Muak 1. He also claimed that, on some floors, there are broken bathroom tiles in the showers.

   Lastly, both Student A and Student B highlighted that the facilities in Muak 1 were quite old, with Student A bringing up the water leakage incident. Student B even divulged that, when he first moved into the dormitory last year, he was shocked by the presence of mold in the rooms.

   The difference between the semesterly rates of Muak 1 and Muak 2 is only ₩57,000, which raises doubts about whether the prices could be justified. When asked whether the price difference between the two dormitories is fair, considering the vast difference in facility quality, Student A said that he did not have an issue with it. He explained that since the primary difference between Muak 1 and Muak 2 is the heating system, the price difference in winter is appropriate. But he also admits that Muak 2 does have generally cleaner and more polished facilities, therefore, even in summer, the price difference of approximately ₩60,000 may be suitable. Student B, however, was hesitant to agree as he believed that the price difference was a bit too small when comparing the facilities and features of Muak 2. Student B instead wishes that Muak 1 was significantly less expensive for students.

Complaints on other Yonsei dormitories

   Students have also taken issue with the lack of effective communication channels between dormitory residents and Yonsei’s Housing Office. Student C, a former resident of Muak 2 Dormitory, said in an interview with the Annals that she contacted the Housing Office for door stoppers due to the door slamming noises late at night, yet she received no response. Student C believes that it is necessary to create a way for students to directly complain or ask about things regarding the dormitories to the Housing Office. Even though there are many issues and feelings of frustration, there are no constructive outcomes. This has been a known issue, causing the previous semester’s student council candidates from Ba-ro to include the enactment of a self-governing ja-chi-hae, or residents’ council, which existed until 2014 as one of their policies. The proposals of this council would be reflected in the management and operation of the Housing Office, allowing students’ opinions and desires to be efficiently conveyed.

   Another emerging issue with the dormitory system at Yonsei is the difficulty of securing a spot, especially now, that most classes are offline and more students require on-campus housing. Student A felt that this semester, more students than usual failed to get into any of the dormitories—himself included. Since the results only came out on February 1, students who were unable to get a spot had just a month before the semester started on March 2 to find an alternative housing option. As those who apply are students who live outside of Seoul, their options are quite limited. Furthermore, as a student who stayed in the dormitories throughout the winter break, Student A had until February 15 before he was forced to move out. He said that students in the dormitories shared the same sentiments that it possibly would have been better if they were informed of the results earlier to allow for more time to find suitable housing.

The Housing Office’s response

   The head of Yonsei University Housing Office’s administration team, Shin Min-young, stated in an interview with the Annals that in response to the unfortunate incident, the direct and indirect victims were identified and given alternative rooms. Additionally, these students were provided compensation such as free laundry and replacement of damaged goods. In the case of the victim who was affected the most by the incident, upon request, his laptop was replaced with the same model and his iPad was replaced with one with upgraded specifications. For the other affected victims’ items that required repair, such as hair dryers and laptop chargers, they were replaced with the same or upgraded model. Although Shin recognizes that material reimbursement cannot compensate for how the victims were mentally affected by the absurdity and shock of the incident, they hope that it may at least express their apologetic sentiments. Furthermore, in order to identify and resolve the exact cause of the leak, Yonsei’s facility team has completed a profession diagnosis and currently, discussions of post-prevention measures are being undertaken. 

Plans in development

   Muak 1 Dormitory was constructed in 1989 and underwent environmental remodeling in 2014 while Muak 2, which was constructed in 1993, underwent facility and environmental remodeling much recently in 2017. In addition, Muak 3 underwent remodeling in 2019 while Muak 4 was the latest to be remodeled in 2021. Some students claimed that the prioritization of the remodeling of other dormitories over Muak 1—which needed the most improvement[3]. On the other hand, the Housing Office disputes these allegations, arguing that the order of remodeling was determined by the order in which the dormitories were built[4]. Shin explained that, since the dormitory buildings could not undertake remodeling at the same time, the pace at which Muak 1 Dormitory ages is seen to be much faster than that of Muak 2 Dormitory.

   Student A believes that Muak 1 should, at the very least, be up to par with Muak 2 Dormitory as their floor heating system allows them to be much warmer during the winter months. He regards the radiators to be the biggest issue facing Muak 1 residents and considers it a necessity that this issue is resolved for future student residents. Student A also thinks that, if Muak 1 was to undergo remodeling, the bathroom should be like those in Muak 4 with upgraded shower heads and fixed tiles. However, since Muak 2 faces the same issues as Muak 1 concerning elevators and bugs, those are not the most urgent problems. Student B believes that, in addition, an entranceway should be made in each room to create space for shoes because currently, shoes are left out all along the hallway. Also, he suggests that the blinds and power sockets in the rooms be replaced as they are too old.

   Shin disclosed that, in order to increase the comfort of the living environment of Muak 1 residents, construction took place throughout the winter break of 2023. During this construction, the replacement of wallpapers, blinds, lights, and insect repellants were underway and completed at the end of February. Moreover, various cases of Muak 1 facility improvement, such as the aged heating system, are being reviewed and Shin wished to convey that the Housing Office is doing the best they can to ensure that Muak 1 residents are able to live in the best environment.

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   Students deserve a comfortable place to live for months—often longer if they stay for more than one semester—at an affordable price, especially when it is provided by a leading university. Having recognized the concerns raised by dormitory residents, Yonsei has tried to alleviate the situation and make changes that reflect students’ demands. These efforts will hopefully bring about a sense of satisfaction and provide a more desirable place of residence for students.

[1] Housing Office of Yonsei University

[2] Everytime

[3] Maeil Business Newspaper

[4] Yonsei Educational Broadcasting Station