Many undergraduates remain uninformed of the new housing model. Those who attended the house model forum hosted by DSG Tuesday may have been enlightened about the house model that comprises of 74 individual houses spread throughout West and Central campuses, with 43 designated for affiliated student groups. The Chronicle’s Kotoe Oshima spoke with students across all years and affiliations to get a sense of the Duke community’s reaction toward the proposed housing plan.
“If your house is in Edens and you have to live in it for three years, it would [stink]. Everyone will try and change out from Edens if they can, then there wouldn’t be much of a house system the university wants.”
—Andrew Bailey, unaffiliated junior
“I have no understanding of what it would be like. I’m happy with the way it is right now, and don’t see the point in changing the current system.”
—Zsofia Solta, Alpha Delta Pi sophomore
“I’m always a fan of the house model. I’ve heard stories from people in it, and it fosters good environment—even friendly competition between houses. But people won’t take kindly to being told where and who to live with.”
—Woojin Kim, freshman
“I was against it at first because it seemed self-segregating—especially with the Greeks. If the University placed everybody in a house [and] made it so you would have to get to know your neighbors for all three years, it could be successful.”
—Modupe Adepoju, Zeta Phi Beta senior
“I really liked the vibe on East Campus—how everyone associated strongly with their dorms, and then you make your friends and choose to live with them.”
—Evan Shea, Wayne Manor sophomore
“I think it’ll be interesting, I like how it is right now.”
—Katie Vo, unaffiliated junior
“I do like it—it’ll be easier to make friends. The houses won’t be as close as SLGs, but there would still be a sense of community.”
—Robinson Ford, freshman
“If they were going to do it, it should be completely institutionalized, and for the process to be random. It really won’t affect us, though.”
—Ariel August, unaffiliated senior
“It’s a good model—definitely worth a try. There are a lot of students dissatisfied with the current system. Living in an SLG, I’ve experienced the strong sense of community, and independent students should be able to enjoy that sense of community too. In the way it is, there are a bunch of SLGs, and independents fill in the cracks, but now they get to be in their own brick.”
—Spencer Paez, Brownstone junior
“I think it will ground you in one circle of friends and will prevent you from branching out.”
—Brianna Welch, track and cross country sophomore
“It’s either going to work really well or really poorly. The intent is good, but there’s a chance it could backfire and lead to a fragmented student body.”
—David Mayer, unaffiliated senior
“I think it’ll be good to build a sense of community.”
—Michelle Nguyen, freshman
“Independents will have an equal footing, it’ll be a good thing if it works out.”
—Ashley Tsai, Brownstone junior
“I don’t know much about it, but I guess it’ll be fine.”
—Marcus Granlund, Delta Sigma Phi sophomore
“Students are told about it, but it doesn’t seem very pressing. People will react negatively because of its newness.”
—Ryan Wong, residential assistant junior
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