The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are already making headlines, but not necessarily for the right reasons. Indeed, the requisition of student accommodation managed by the Crous to accommodate participants in the Games has sparked heated controversy. And the compensation proposed by the government has not calmed the spirits.
The Minister of Higher Education, Sylvie Retailleau, announced that the students concerned would receive compensation of 100 euros and two places to attend Olympic events as compensation for the requisition of their accommodation. A proposal which was strongly criticized by students, student organizations and politicians.
Among the critics, the government’s contempt for students is often highlighted. Many believe that the compensation offered is far from sufficient to compensate for the inconvenience caused by the requisition of their accommodation, especially since some students could find themselves without accommodation for the summer.
In addition, the Paris administrative court suspended in summary proceedings the Crous’s decision to limit occupancy leases for student accommodation. This decision underlines the fact that the interests of participants in the Olympic Games must not take precedence over the situation of students, and calls into question the legitimacy of the requisition of accommodation.
Faced with the controversy, the minister justified the requisition by invoking common sense and asserting that many student accommodations remain unoccupied every summer. However, this response does not convince students who fear finding themselves without accommodation this summer, and for whom this requisition is an additional source of anxiety.
It is also important to emphasize that students denounce the lack of consideration of their reality by the government. The financial difficulties they already face are compounded by this situation, as many students take seasonal jobs during the summer to support themselves.
In order to reassure students, the National Center for University and School Work (Cnous) affirms that no student will be deprived of accommodation during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. However, this statement is far from convincing students who fear being relegated to precarious conditions or even simply being forgotten.
In conclusion, the requisition of student accommodation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has sparked strong criticism. The compensation proposed by the government is considered insufficient, while the suspension of the requisition decision raises questions about its legitimacy. Students express their anger at this lack of consideration and fear finding themselves without housing this summer. The controversy is only growing and it is essential that the government takes into account the concerns of students and seeks solutions more suited to their situation.