Over the past year, Credit and Dormitories Institution (KYK) dorms have undergone multiple fires due to their concerning lack of quality, from serving raw food to using broken elevators. Despite the stark differences between KYK dorms and private dorms, in terms of amenities and recent scandals, students continue to favor KYK dormitories due to their lower costs.
KYK dormitory fees have recently increased by 50%, in line with the most recently announced inflation rate, limiting the number of housing options for students who prefer to live in KYK dormitories. It seems that from now on, both private and KYK dorms will be unaffordable for a lot of students, possibly creating a housing crisis for university students
KYK dormitories are divided into six types. Types one and two provide basic housing, food, and security needs. Types three and four is regarded as intermediate dormitories, which provide 2 to 4 people housing according to room space, have private desks and refrigerators, and shared bath and restroom facilities. Type five dormitories are the second most expensive KYK dormitories. Type six dormitories are the most luxurious KYK dormitories with “amenities enough to satisfy every student’s wants.”
The prices for KYK dormitories in the 2023-2024 academic year used to be 345 TL for
type 1, 405 TL for types 2 and 3, 480 TL for type 4, 510 TL for type 5, and 570 TL for type 6.
With the 50% increase, the new prices for the 2024-2025 academic year will be 575.5 TL for type 1, 607.5 TL for type 2 and 3, 720 TL for type 4, 765 TL for type 5, and 855 TL for type 6. Additionally, there will be a 685 TL deposit difference, and students who don’t pay this deposit until the 15th of September will lose their records.
On the other hand, private dorm costs in 2024 ranged from 20k TL to 70k TL annually, or 1.6k TL to 6k TL per month. Although this is the average for last year, there is still a huge price difference between private and public dormitories, pushing students to choose KYK dormitories for accommodation.
With this change in prices, the quality of KYK dormitories has once again become the topic of question. Now, the question is whether there will be a drastic change — an improvement — in the quality of the dorms as well. Considering the old KYK scandals, however, people are doubtful that there will be.
In May 2024, students living at the KYK dormitory connected to the Pammukale University in Denizli shared photos of their foods, complaining that they found hair, worms, and insects in them. The students stated that they had reported the incident many times to the people responsible from the dormitory, but no action was taken. Instead, the person in charge irresponsibly responded that no student complaints could ever harm them, according to the interview given to Onedio journalists. Because the students living in KYK dorms have a student budget, they cannot simply eat out every day, so they have to accept this unacceptable condition and live through it.
Another prominent case happened last year in October when Zeren Ertaş, a student accommodating at the Aydın Güzelhisar KYK dormitory, lost her life in an elevator accident in that building. Fifteen others were injured in the accident. Protests across the nation were held in memory of Zeren following the incident. This elevator incident caused colossal damage to the reputation of KYK dormitories and led others to speak up about the mistreatment and stress they experienced due to the “unlivable” conditions of KYK dormitories.
Responses to the rise in KYK dormitory fees typically highlight these incidents and many more similar ones, crucifying the new fees and demanding higher scholarships. However, the government hasn’t directly responded to these demands yet.
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