As a senior at Gonzaga University, I am looking forward to all that occurs during the final semester of college — going to GU basketball games, studying to the wee hours of the morning in the library, spending time with friends, taking my last exams and preparing for my entrance into the real world. What I did not expect was to be placed in the middle of an intense battle between the city of Spokane, the Logan neighborhood and a landlord, Vince Dressel.

My purpose here is not to bash any of the participating parties, nor is it to choose a side. Rather, it is a call to the members of the Spokane community to closely examine what is actually going on.

A representative from the city has been to my house at 803.5 East Mission five or six times in the past year. The house that I have called home for the last year and a half has been the target of many of the articles written in The Spokesman-Review. In one of them, published in March 2005, my house was affectionately referred to as “the box” and “the nightmare of a duplex unit that does to its (the Victorian home in front) profile what the unsightly, hulking Spokane County jail did to the chateau-style Courthouse 20 years ago.”

In no way am I insinuating that I think my house is especially attractive, nor am I sending pictures to my extended family and friends to proudly display my cute little college home. But it is my home.

I love my house. I can wake up precisely 10 minutes before class starts, brush my teeth, get dressed and be in Herak for my engineering classes with a minute to spare. I greatly appreciate what my landlord has provided for my roommates and me.

What I have not appreciated is the gawkers who congregate across the street and point to certain features of my house. Waiting around all day for a city inspector isn’t enjoyable either. And I do not appreciate getting phone calls or knocks on my door from random people telling me that I am going to be evicted.

I just want to live in my house like every other resident and not have to be an expert on building codes, fire codes, number of parking spaces, roof pitch, the size of an egress window, etc.

I can personally guarantee that the lights in our upstairs were not on “numerous times” last fall, because I live here and my stuff is what is being stored in one of the storage areas.

Lastly, I do not appreciate coming home after a relaxing weekend to see that my upstairs has been boarded up with my spring clothes, textbooks, bike and other belongings inside — and with only a small sliver of space in a wall for me to slide my things through — because the city or the neighborhood does not want the upstairs to be conveyed as occupiable.

Being from Ohio, I do not have the luxury of exchanging my winter and spring wardrobes throughout the semester. I go home only at Christmas and in the summer. I needed that space upstairs to store my belongings for the whole year, but now it has been completely sealed. If I am not breaking a law, why do I now have to use my living room as an attic?

I ask all of you in the Spokane community to continue supporting the Gonzaga community, as you have always done. I have had a fantastic three and a half years in this city and at this great university. Please concentrate your efforts on things that can make an actual impact.

If the city or the neighborhood has a problem with what a landlord is doing, then act when he or she is building the units, not after they’re built. Please set an example for the students on how to be proactive citizens. Do not put the students in the middle of your struggles to save this neighborhood. Please let my roommates and me enjoy our last semester together.

Stop by and say hello to us if we are outside while you are on a walk. Welcome us into your neighborhood, and let us all enjoy the coming spring.