Editorial: Housing Changes

The recent controversy over the reorganization of super block housing this semester has left many students upset, confused and scrambling to find new plans for the upcoming year. Despite the series of e-mails sent out and the information meetings held in an attempt to help upperclassmen through the new system, many students walked away from these efforts more baffled than before.

This restructuring lacked clarity and transparency in both its launch and decision-making process. Locations that were typically senior housing, such as Sperry, have been converted into language houses or broken down within the system into smaller blocks, limiting on-campus options for seniors.

Current juniors, now abroad, missed the majority of the new housing conversation, potentially eliminating them from applying for homes that are now a part of the super block process. Though several bumps in the road are to be expected with the introduction of any new system, it seems as though this new super block process is simply more complicated than needed.

As the super block application process occurred earlier this month and the general housing lottery will open after break, the housing committee has found itself in a pinch. In anticipation of next year’s increased numbers, the committee may have to explore temporary solutions, such as converting office space into student housing.

With that in mind, now is the time to begin thinking about long-term solutions. We understand that in the current climate of financial tightness, the construction of a new dormitory may seem too expensive, but perhaps this needs to be made a budgetary priority — even if it comes at the expense of other resources.

Alternatively, the College could at least explore expanding off-campus housing eligibility by both opening up the opportunity to the junior and senior Feb classes and eliminating the lottery process, which seems an unnecessary hassle given how many seniors had to be begged to move off campus in the past few years. Such a shift could potentially have a positive impact on the town economy as well.

When discussing potential long-term solutions to the housing problem, the administration must remember that the student voice is both vital and valuable — nothing will be met with more outrage than a housing decision made without seeking the opinions of those who will feel the consequences.

A productive dialogue about housing has been woefully missing over the past few years, during which time the College has altered the super block process twice, and in the future, we hope that all ears will be open to innovative and creative ideas to this community issue.