Editorial:

Residential Life could make things easier

Published Nov. 13, 2009

In light of the problems with residence hall capacity and placing the ever-increasing number of people who want to live on campus, the Residence Halls Association has proposed a new plan to limit the number of returning students.

Under the new plan, people would be grouped into three separate tiers. There would be a specific number of beds set aside for freshmen, and the rest would be divvied up among everyone else. The first group of people allowed to pick their bed would be those involved in residence halls organizations, such as RHA and hall governments. The next tier would be people who can get a recommendation from their hall coordinators, and then everyone else would be free to pick their beds. Within each tier, it would be organized by seniority — first seniors, then juniors and sophomores. Confused yet?

The plan seems unnecessarily convoluted. First, the proposal is set up for the most senior people in RHA to get their pick of the beds. This seems a little bit suspicious. Plus, the only involvement RHA is counting is that in residence halls. Although we understand the argument RHA wants people who are in residence hall organizations to continue to be able to remain involved, it is still ridiculous. If involvement is going to be a factor, there should be more than residential organizations included.

The biggest problem, though, is the extra red tape this will add just to get a room on campus. The proposal adds several more hoops people have to jump through. For instance, those in the second tier have to get a letter of recommendation from a hall coordinator or student staff. What staff members have the time to write letters of recommendation for hundreds of students who just want a bed on campus for the next school year? This is a completely unrealistic expectation for both students seeking beds and staff.

The problem could be solved in a much simpler way. Set aside the rooms for freshmen and then let people go in order of seniority. This way, no one judges who is more involved than someone else. No one has to request a letter of recommendation to live on campus next year. The freshmen who are required to stay in residence halls will have a place to stay. Everyone wins.

It is also important to note this is not yet set in stone. The Department of Residential Life will have the final say about whether the proposal goes through. It has yet to take a stance on this proposal, but we encourage it to shoot down the tiered system.

In this situation, it's best not to complicate things. Follow Occam's razor. The simplest explanation tends to be the best one.