The answer, as six unlucky CU students will probably soon find out, is perhaps a lot more than $200. One Bwog tipster (and probably dozens of other students with decent lottery numbers) received an email from a group calling themselves “Columbia Students.” The email proposed an Old-Timey Barter in which housing lottery numbers would be swapped in order for “Columbia Students” to secure a coveted East Campus suite with 6 singles. The email reads:

Obviously, we know that there would be no reason for you to help us out, but we were hoping that with monetary compensation some of you would consider a swap. We would be able to get 6 good rooms in Broadway (or very possibly a 6-person suite in EC with 4 singles and 1 double), so if you are interested in swapping rooms/suite for a decent monetary compensation (at least $200 per person, but price is completely negotiable)”

Parties interest in swapping lottery numbers should email the (endearingly utilitarian) Gmail address provided: cu.housing.seniors@gmail.com

Full email after the jump


Hey guys,

 

This may seem random but we’ll get straight to the point. We are a group of 6 seniors going into suite selection with a terrible housing number – and you are a group of 6 seniors with a good housing number. We are assuming that you guys are planning on signing up for an EC suite of 6 singles. In short, due to special circumstances among our friends, we are extremely eager to obtain an EC suite as well. We talked to housing and they said that groups of 6 can swap other groups of 6 after housing registration is over. Obviously, we know that there would be no reason for you to help us out, but we were hoping that with monetary compensation some of you would consider a swap. We would be able to get 6 good rooms in Broadway (or very possibly a 6-person suite in EC with 4 singles and 1 double), so if you are interested in swapping rooms/suite for a decent monetary compensation (at least $200 per person, but price is completely negotiable), please email us back and we will talk more about details. Also, please email back ASAP, because this is a very time-sensitive issue. Thank you for your time.

 

-Columbia Students