THE ROOM selection process used by the Housing Division has been modified for the current year. The change is the result of a joint initiative between the Office of the Dean of Students and the Housing Division, looking at ways to increase the number of second-year students that live in on-Grounds housing and provide programming in a residential setting targeting their needs.
Why is this important? There is a growing recognition of the importance of maintaining a clear connection between the institution and second-year students. Many second-year students are still working to solidify a plan for their undergraduate program and trying to establish their identity in the student body. Living on Grounds is an important support element in helping students make connections with University resources and activities. Universities across the country require students to live on campus through their second year and base this requirement on the educational benefits to that group of students. The Office of the Dean of Students staff is looking at the best practices in this area, planning to create a set of initiatives targeted to address the needs of second-year students.
The changes are very distinct. In the past, the process was completed using a three "phase" process. Phase I gave students already living in upper-class housing the opportunity to remain in the same space for the next year. Phase II gave students already living in upper-class housing the chance to change rooms. Phase III was when rising second year students living in the Alderman and McCormick Road Areas were allowed to apply to live in upper-class housing. The change to the process for the coming year is to combine Phases II and III. This means that students already living in upper-class housing still have the opportunity to remain where they currently live. The real effect of this change, is to remove an inequity from the current system and to treat all upper-class students the same, regardless of class. No one is being forced to leave on-Grounds housing who wishes to remain. All students who wish to change rooms, however, enter the process at the same time, and on an equal footing.
In practice, I expect that it will mean that a larger number of second-year students will be able to get their first choice and will be able to get together with their chosen group of friends than has been the case in the past. I also hope that this will mean that a larger number of second-year students will choose to remain in on-Grounds housing.
This change makes sense now because in addition to addressing long-standing second-year student needs, the 280 beds in the newly renovated Bice House will be available for housing again next year. The addition of at least 1,850 new bedrooms into the off-Grounds students' housing market in the past year should also dramatically improve the availability of off-Grounds housing for those who seek that option.
Students currently living in upper-class on-Grounds housing will see some changes. If this change is successful in encouraging more second-year students to choose to stay on Grounds, it will mean that upper-class students who wish to change rooms will receive equal priority. For groups wishing to move to get together, this means entering a lottery. For individuals who want to change rooms, that opportunity is available now, before the process begins. At this point in the year, we only have one waiting list left, which is for single rooms in the IRC. We have vacancies in all areas of on-Grounds housing. If living in a particular area is the top priority, getting there is possible now. If being with a particular group is the top priority, then it has been possible to make room changes and switches to get groups together all Fall. No one has to feel forced to enter Phase II.
In protecting Phase I of the process, we can keep the primary benefits of the way the process has worked in the past. We hope that we will retain a critical mass of upper-class students in on-Grounds housing. These students are the most influential role models and sources of information for younger students. They also add a strong element of stability and continuity to the communities in each area. Retaining Phase I allows students to continue living in on Grounds housing for as long as they wish.
(John Evans is the director of accommodations for the U.Va. Housing Division.)
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