In this blog post, we examine how well the “adjacent area” restriction—one of the admission criteria for Seoul National University’s dormitories—reflects actual commuting times and public transportation conditions, focusing particularly on the challenges faced by students residing in Siheung City.
The Issue and the Role of Dormitories
Unlike most elementary, middle, and high schools, students often choose universities based on a variety of factors. For this reason, many universities operate dormitories to alleviate students’ housing difficulties. Dormitories are not merely convenience facilities but important spaces that help students focus on their studies and adapt well to campus life.
Seoul National University operates as many as 10 dormitory buildings to accommodate its size, contributing to a higher standard of living for students through state-of-the-art facilities and various amenities. However, since it is impossible to accommodate every student, opportunities are provided only to those who meet the admission criteria, and only a portion of applicants are selected.
Seoul National University’s dormitory admission criteria include provisions related to students’ places of residence. This provision restricts applications from students living within a certain distance of the university; it appears to have been established with the intention of prioritizing the allocation of dormitory spaces to students from outside the Seoul metropolitan area. The restricted areas include Seoul and its neighboring cities (Bucheon, Gwangmyeong, Anyang, Siheung, Gwacheon, Seongnam, Gunpo, Uiwang, etc.).
The Problem with the Straight-Line Distance Standard and the Case of Siheung City
The problem is that these “adjacent” restricted areas were defined solely based on straight-line distance, without any consideration of the actual commuting time or public transportation conditions. Since many students rely on public transportation, areas with poorly developed transit systems can result in longer commuting times even if the straight-line distance is short.
The challenges students face when using public transportation go beyond mere time consumption; they include increased fatigue during the commute and disruption to their daily routines. In particular, long commuting times can negatively impact academic performance and, in the long run, diminish the quality of university life. Consequently, many students wish to live in dormitories, but due to limited dormitory resources, it is difficult to provide opportunities for all students.
Taking Siheung City, where I reside, as an example: the straight-line distance from Seoul National University to Siheung is approximately 18 km. Because this is slightly closer than the 19 km from neighboring Ansan City, Siheung City is subject to restrictions on dormitory applications. However, Siheung City’s public transportation system is inferior to that of Ansan City, with almost no connections such as express buses or subways that enable quick access to Seoul. Consequently, commuting from Siheung City to Seoul National University by public transportation takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours.
In contrast, Ansan City has subway access, so the commute to Seoul National University takes no more than 1 hour and 30 minutes. In other words, students residing in Siheung City, where the actual commute time is longer, are ineligible to apply for dormitories, while students residing in Ansan City, where commuting is relatively easier, are eligible.
The difficulties faced by Siheung City students due to these dormitory application restrictions go beyond mere issues of time and fatigue. This can lead to feelings of alienation and unfair treatment in school life, increasing mental stress. Furthermore, the cost of securing temporary housing near the school, such as renting a room or staying in a boarding house, is significant and places a heavy financial burden on students facing economic hardship.
As such, if students from these areas commute, they must spend approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours per day solely on travel. Considering that the typical sleep duration is 6 to 8 hours, this means spending one-quarter to one-fifth of the day commuting. This naturally leads to inconvenience and inefficiency in their studies and daily lives. Moving to a new residence or securing temporary housing near the school can be costly or result in poor living conditions.
Although students from other regions who have not been admitted to the dormitory also face inconveniences, students from other regions can be admitted to the dormitory at any time if they diligently participate in school life. In contrast, students living in areas that are “close but not close enough” do not get such an opportunity and are forced to bear the burden of additional costs.
The intention to prioritize allocation for students who need the dormitory more urgently is valid. However, due to residence restrictions that fail to consider realistic commuting conditions, some students are being disadvantaged. While the number of students who must bear this disadvantage may be small relative to the total student body, it is the responsibility of a leading university like Seoul National University to ensure the rights of that minority are protected.
Countermeasures and Recommendations
The university must gather diverse student opinions to establish a more realistic housing policy. For example, the university could consider introducing criteria that reflect actual commuting times in dormitory application requirements or providing additional support to students living in areas with poor public transportation access.
Furthermore, it is necessary to establish various programs and support measures to alleviate the difficulties students face during their commutes. The university must not forget that it is its important role to help students focus on their studies in a better environment.
