After a group of administrators handed down a proposal to eliminate choice between old and new dorms in the first-year housing process, some students are complaining about the lack of student involvement in the decision making.
To diversify the traditional first-year housing areas - those on McCormick Road and Alderman Road - an administrative committee suggested random assignment for prospective first-year students last semester. Alderman Road, "new dorm" residences house more non-white, non-Virginian students than their McCormick Road, "old dorm" counterparts.
"This is not a solution to the diversity problem by taking away our choice," said first-year College student Andy Lilianthal, who attended Tuesday's Student Council meeting to voice his opposition to the proposed changes.
Asst. Dean of Students Aaron Laushway presented the proposal to Council Tuesday, where it was met with angry questions and confusion about how much student input was used in making the proposal. Frustrations have carried over into the week.
"According to our info," Council Executive Vice President Matt Madden said, "the ad hoc committee has been in existence for five years without a student on the committee."
Although there was no formal student involvement in the committee, Laushway said there were plenty of informal conversations with students, including members of Residence Life and students living in Hereford Residential College, an option still available to first years.
The proposal to eliminate the choice between old and new dorms "totally goes against the University's sense of student self-governance," Council College Rep. Adam Swann said.
"For whatever reason, students have not been involved in this report thus far," Council Chief of Staff Abby Fifer said. "While we recognize the authority and expertise of those involved in making this decision, we'd also like to present student opinion."
Several Council members drafted a resolution against the proposal and will present it to Council this Tuesday.
Engineering Rep. Christina White said there are enough differences between the McCormick Road dorms and Alderman Road dorms that lumping them together into one category is unfair.
White said people consider the hall-style floors of old dorms and suite-style floors of new dorms, how close the dorms are to classes and the bigger room sizes of Alderman when deciding which residence area they would prefer.
But part of the reasoning behind eliminating the decision is that certain types of people seem to end up in different areas, officials say.
The Dean of Students Office "and its allies" do not like the fact that there is an area known for "partiers," College Rep. Justin Pfeiffer said. Pfeiffer said the Committee was being hypocritical in wanting to offer housing options for those who value diversity like Hereford and the International Residence College but wanting to break up the "social" dorm.
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