On April 21, Student Government passed a resolution opposing campus overcrowding, which they attributed to undergraduate enrollment increases. The Physical Planning Committee said that Wake Forest must provide adequate facilities to accommodate campus expansion.
Response from the Division of Campus Life
In a statement to the Old Gold & Black on April 29, the Division of Campus Life recognized student concerns expressed in Student Government Resolution No. 14.
“We appreciate Student Government and the critical role they play in representing student perspectives,” Matt Clifford, associate vice president for Campus Life and Dean of Students, said “What our students experienced this year—in housing, dining and study spaces—is real, and we understand why it matters.”
The University acknowledged the importance of high-quality residential life for campus culture. They agreed that the growth of campus resources must coincide with undergraduate enrollment increases to preserve present student experience.
“It is not uncommon for campuses to experience concerns in times of growth and transition,” Vice President for Enrollment Eric Maguire said. “At Wake Forest, we remain committed to the deeply relational experience that defines our community. Our measured, incremental enrollment strategy is designed to preserve that experience while expanding opportunities for highly qualified students.”
The resolution also noted that the imbalance of study abroad enrollment stressed this year’s housing registration process. 91% of Wake Forest students who choose to study abroad do so in the fall semester. Interim Provost Nell Newton acknowledged the impact of the imbalance, while also recognizing broader factors.
“This imbalance has broad implications for the campus experience, shaping everything from course availability and classroom utilization to housing, dining and other shared spaces,” Newton said. “As we seek to ensure students have a transformative experience, it is important that we consider all of the factors contributing to campus life.”
Clifford also addressed student concerns regarding the housing lottery, which barred up to 75 interested rising seniors from living on campus.
“It’s important to note that all students who requested on-campus housing for 2026 were accommodated, though we recognize the process felt different this year and, at times, unpredictable,” he said. “We’ve already made adjustments—including releasing juniors from the residency requirement earlier—and will continue to provide earlier clarity so students can make informed decisions.”
Clifford said that the University is focused on both short-term and long-term improvements to on-campus housing, including expanding South Campus and partnering with affiliate housing programs, such as the Creekside at the Grounds. The University said they will also continue to work with stakeholders across campus departments to better understand and improve campus dynamics.
Vice President for Campus Life Shea Kidd Brown showed appreciation for University administration’s collaboration with the Student Government and the student body and emphasized the importance of feedback.
“We appreciate working alongside our students and are committed to delivering a transformative
student experience,” Kidd Brown said. “The student experience at Wake Forest is special, and we recognize that some of the current dynamics have been challenging for students to navigate. Feedback is how we continually improve, and we look forward to continued dialogue with Student Government, the Campus Life Advisory Council and the broader student body as we evolve.”
Student Government President weighs in on resolution
Newly installed Student Government President Gray Lowder underlined Student Government’s role in student advocacy.
“Throughout the year, it has become clear that overcrowding is a major problem,” Lowder said. “From on-campus housing assignments, eating at the Pit, working out or finding a study space, it’s not easy. Students choose Wake Forest because of the community and opportunity to be on-campus during the majority of their time.”
Lowder continued: “By expanding enrollment to pay for capital projects, the University has increased demand for space while decreasing supply. In the long run, the Collins project, Babcock renovation and The Grounds are going to be incredibly valuable. However, students want actions taken now to relieve the pain. As Student Government leaders, it’s our job to express student concerns and involve ourselves in finding solutions.”
Lowder suggested several short-term solutions to alleviate overcrowding in popular campus hubs and in residential halls.
“First, breakfast opportunities on North Campus would relieve traffic in the Pit before 11:00 a.m.,” Lowder said. “We’ve proposed that Village Juice, and possibly Hilltop Market, open earlier. For housing difficulties, we need to enable students to acquire off-campus leases early in the year. With sophomores taking larger shares of Magnolia, Dogwood, Polo [and] Martin Residence Halls, as well as Student Apartments and [North Campus Apartments], we need to help our juniors secure off-campus housing. There are few simple solutions, and we’ve worked very closely with the school as they determine courses of action.”
In response to concerns surrounding study abroad, Lowder said Student Government is dedicated to protecting this student experience.
“It is likely that we will see movement in policy around study abroad,” he said. “It is true that housing, dining, academic courses and space pressure could be reduced if we adjusted abroad distribution across semesters.
He continued: “Student Government advocates strongly for a considerate, in-depth and student-first mindset for administrators if any changes are made. In the short-term, we are working with administrators that sit on a new Study Abroad Task Force with hopes of maintaining the student voice as they build a policy recommendation.”
Lowder highlighted the shared interest the university and Student Government have in hearing student voices to enhance campus experience.
“Student Government is meant to relay student concerns to administrators through the relationships that have been built for years,” Lowder said. “Our school administration makes sincere efforts to bring student voices into rooms where decisions are made.” Lowder said.
In times of disagreement, the Student Government will continue to maintain a positive relationship with the administration, Lowder said.
“My role is highly collaborative, but not to rubber stamp decisions,” Lowder said. “When policy decisions cause issues for students, I am going to communicate our dissatisfaction. We are never adversaries, but will certainly disagree at times. Argument is not for argument’s sake, but because students and administrators care deeply about Wake Forest’s future.”
