In a preliminary brainstorming session, Campus Council discussed the complications and advantages of adding a new category of housing on West Campus that would function in a manner similar to that of a mini-selective living group but with less formal structure.
In a preliminary brainstorming session, Campus Council discussed the complications and advantages of adding a new category of housing on West Campus that would function in a manner similar to that of a mini-selective living group but with less formal structure.
“Mega-blocks” would consist of about 16 people who shared a common interest. They would receive adjacent rooms on West Campus in order to further their community and plan programming related to their interest. Currently only eight students can request to block together.
Unlike selective living groups, their housing would not carry over from year to year, and they would not have a formal rush process. Although Campus Council is just beginning to consider details, students would either apply as a pre-formed group or a single student would apply to start a group with Campus Council and then recruit other members.
“The concept is that eight people may not be enough of a critical mass for programming,” senior Anthony Vitarelli, president of Campus Council, said after the meeting. He stressed that for the concept to succeed, it would have to be driven by individual students rather than existing as just a random housing option.
As council members debated the program’s merits, they raised concerns that mega-blocks would serve as an excuse for friends to live together and that they might exacerbate racial segregation.
“They would have to generate some kind of benefit for the rest of campus,” sophomore Brittany Greenfield said.
Some formal process might be set in place to ensure that the mega-block actually fulfilled its programming goals.
Representatives also raised questions about how the groups would fit into the quadrangles. Setting aside space for large student blocks would limit the use of that space for non-members. Council members also wondered how essential it was for groups to live together in order to program.
The council was split as to whether letting friends and groups live together would lead to cliques or greater ownership of the quads.
The concept grew out of student requests for substance-free housing on West Campus in a model similar to Brown Dormitory on East Campus. Such a housing option used to be available, but it was abolished two years ago because of dwindling student interest.
“If this is going to be an option, there has to be a couple of things going on here. It’s got to be bigger than just substance-free,” Vitarelli said. “It has to be wellness; it has to be a community of folks that are interested in healthy lifestyle and exercise and eating well and make it more about that.”
When Campus Council members discussed a pilot program of mega-blocks with Joe Gonzalez, associate dean of residence life, earlier this week, Vitarelli said it appeared plausible for the 2005-2006 school year.
In order to incorporate the living groups with the quads, representatives suggested linking mega-blocks with house courses or drawing upon already functioning student organizations.
Representatives will gather more information about student interest and further discuss the topic at another meeting.
In other business
The council recapped Devil’s Eve, which occurred Friday, Oct. 22. Despite the success of the event, the council recommends more advertising for next year and more competitive games. They also noted students’ relative lack of interest in purchasing beer. Several council members suggested that students were less interested in drinking because it was Parents’ Weekend.
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