First years soon may be unable to choose between Old and New Dorms if University officials initiate a proposal to increase diversity in some first-year residence halls.
Housing officials and deans are looking for ways to decrease the disparity between white and non-white students in first-year housing.
Now, 1,273 first-year students live in the Alderman Road residence halls. Of those, 28.1 percent are non-white while 66.8 percent are white.
Of the 1,269 students residing in the McCormick Road residence area, 14.5 percent are non-white while 81.9 percent are white.
Housing officials may decide to restructure the options provided on housing selection forms so students would choose between living in either first-year residence halls or in residential colleges.
Dean of Students Penny Rue, who has participated in conversations about first-year housing, said she felt the real issue to be addressed is clarifying housing options with students before they make decisions.
She said the 2001 opening of a new residential college in what is now the Sprigg Lane residence area will offer students "a choice between kinds of programs instead of types of buildings." She added that diversity is "one of the hoped-for consequences" of regrouping student housing options.
Housing Director Mark Doherty said there has been discussion about changing the housing selection form, but it is "certainly not a settled issue" and changes probably will not be implemented next year or the following year.
Several current first years said they chose where to live based on others' recommendations.
"My brothers told me [to live in] Old Dorms," said first-year College student Marjorie Beyer.
Doherty said housing officials hope to receive feedback from students before making any decisions.
He said he wants to "make sure the University understands the perspective of students living here"
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