The word \monopoly"" has been heard with unusual frequency this week throughout the private residence hall community. It is being used by some to describe Steve Brown's recent acquisition of the Regent, 1402 Regent St., and The Towers, 502 N. Frances St., apartment buildings.
Brown's halls house one-fifth of the UW-Madison freshman class; most of the other 80 percent live in University Housing's dorms, according to Brown.
""A monopoly on housing is not what a college town needs. I think that with his recent acquisitions, Steve Brown is flirting dangerously close to that monopoly,"" said UW-Madison freshman Todd Miller, who lives at the Statesider Private Residence Hall, 505 N. Frances St.
""Kids don't have a choice,"" said UW-Madison freshman Alex Loeb, who also lives at the Statesider. ""Although he is a smart businessman, Steve Brown controls the housing market. He takes advantage of the limited housing that the university provides for freshmen, then jacks up the price.""
Brown, owner of Steve Brown Apartments and five private residence halls, refuted the sentiments expressed by some students.
""The monopoly is University Housing--that is the monopoly. That is why private residence halls exist,"" Brown said. ""We want to offer a variety of experience to the kids. Gosh, we're not a monopoly ... We're just picking up the crumbs. That is why we have to be on top of our game.""
Chris Hand, resident director at The Towers, said he is optimistic about the changes the newly acquired residence halls will receive under Brown's management.
""There will be more resources and options next year. You might see bigger-scale events for the residents,"" Hand said.
However, many unhappy out-of-state students complain that the system itself is flawed. University Housing's priority is given to in-state students, and there is limited space in the public dorms.
The end result is little choice for out-of-state students who wish to experience dormitory life at UW-Madison.
""When I was accepted into the university as an out-of-state student I was forced to find an alternative to the public dorms,"" said UW-Madison freshman Justin Reynolds, who chose to live at the Statesider. ""But the university needs to provide other options for out-of-state residents. That way we will not be a victim of the monopoly that is Steve Brown Private Residence Halls.\
