Listen to a conversation between a student and a housing office employee.
Student: Hi, I'm Kate Blair. I have an appointment.
Employee: Hello, Kate. So how can I help you?
Student: Well. It's about my dorm room.
Employee: Ok, which dormitory do you live in.
Student: Joyce hall.
Employee: Yes, Joyce hall. I'm sure it can't be too comfortable living there, but you do realize it's just a temporary arrangement till the new dorms are ready.
Student: I know, but...
Employee: Well, I know there have been some construction delays, but by February, the very latest, the new building to be finished and ready to go. So by next semester you should be moving into much nicer quarters.
Student: But that's months away. I mean the problem is not so much that there are four of us living in a double, I can deal with the bunk beds(双层床) and the nonexistent closet space. But we only have two desks between the four of us. And that's a real problem. I mean I have a desktop computer and nowhere to put it.
Employee: And there's probably no room for more desks.
Student: Not really. And two of my roommates are staying in Joyce hall next semester, so naturally they claim the desk for their computers.
Employee: And you can't use one of the computer centers on campus or work at the library?
Student: Oh I do, but all those buildings closed by nine.
Employee: And could you work out an arrangement with one of your roommates? Maybe she let you use her computer or at least share the desk space.
Student: I could ask, but what happens at the end of the semester when we all have assignments? Do it the same time? Plus, it's not that my roommates are great people, but you know they like to talk when they're around, listen to music. So what do I do if I'm working on a paper or something?
Employee: It's probably not just your room. It's like this.
Student: Oh no. Every room has at least one extra student. Everybody's complaining.
Employee: I'm surprised I haven't heard anything.
Student: It's only the third week of classes. I'm sure you will hear more soon enough.
Employee: I know your dorm is a big lounge. I wonder if we could put in some desks, turn part of it into a study area.
Student: It'll be nice to have some extra space to work, but still I mean what do I do with my computer?
Employee: Unfortunately, for now, probably has to stay in its box. But see, I don't think we've ever tried this. If the computer support folks agreed, maybe we could arrange for you to have a laptop computer while you're living there. I know they let faculty use them when they travel.
Student: Oh.. Well, that will be great! With the laptop, I could work lots of places.
Employee: I'm not promising anything, but I'll see what I can do.
