Things That Are Different in This Year's Housing Lottery

R.H.C. has spent a good part of the last few months contemplating possible changes in the housing lottery system. All changes were discussed at our weekly, public meetings and voted on. The most noticeable change is that the lottery will last only one day; there will be no separate specialty or blocking lottery, with the exception of Keehn.

Smoke-Free housing has proven to be a very popular option with both incoming first years and returning students. North will continue to be Smoke-Free, as well as the first floor of Bundy West, the basement and first floor of Dunham, and several suites in Babbitt. Minor has also been added as a Smoke-Free option. Also new this year, Major will have Quiet housing on only the third floor. Root will continue to be Substance-Free Housing, and Rogers and 3950 (TDX) will have the same meal plans they currently have. A separate housing lottery has been eliminated in order to decrease the number of early decisions people have to make; all of your options will be in front of you when you choose your room.

The Blocking Lottery has also been modified. Instead of signing up in advance and having the numbers averaged, areas in Dunham, Wally J, and Bundy West & East will be designated as 4-pulls and 6-pulls. These areas will then function like the suites or quads, in that one number will pull all of the spaces. Areas that functioned as 4-pulls and 6-pulls in the past, such as the doubles that share a bathroom in Ferguson, will continue to function as such, as listed in the booklet. Again, this change was made in order to eliminate extra decisions, such taking a block in Bundy in the Blocking Lottery or hoping for a quad in South in the General Lottery.

The system of optional pulls has been extended. Last year, when people chose a single in Bundy, they had the choice of pulling a friend into another single in that hallway. This will stay in effect in Bundy this year, and has been extended to areas in Major, Minor, and McIntosh. Please note that these two-pulls are completely optional. Lastly, the Griffin Road Apartments will be co-ed by room; two men can live in a double with a female in the single, for example.

If you have any questions that aren't answered by the green Housing Lottery booklet, please don't hesitate to email either jdoench or mleddy.

RESIDENCE HALL COUNCIL NEWS

Over the past few months, RHC has discussed community concerns and has decided to recommend several changes for this year's housing lottery.

A Condensed Lottery

The first of these changes is that the lottery will pretty much be a one-day affair. Only the Keehn lottery will be held separate from the general lottery. In the past, separate lotteries have been held for Keehn, specialty housing and blocking. The separate blocking and specialty lotteries have been eliminated this year.

Quiet Housing Changes

Due to the declining interest in quiet housing over the past few years, RHC has decided to decrease the amount of quiet housing available. Only the third floor of Major will be designated as quiet housing rather than the entire building, as in the past.

Smoke-Free Housing

The demand for smoke-free housing has been steadily increasing. Therefore, RHC has decided to offer more smoke-free housing options. Currently, several suites, all of North, and portions of Dunham and Bundy are smoke-free. This year, the number of smoke-free suites has been increased. In addition, all of Minor will be designated as smoke-free housing.

Changes Concerning Blocking

This year, students who wish to pull a block will pull it using the highest number belonging to one of their group members. Previously, the students' numbers were averaged. The elimination of the separate housing lottery provides students with more options in the general lottery. Students will have a better idea of their options and will not have to sign-up with their block in advance.

Co-ed Living

RHC has recommended that, in addition to the current co-ed residences, Griffin Road and all of the faculty apartments be made co-educational.

RA's in Bundy

Due to the large number of students in Bundy and student recommendations, the number of Resident Advisors in each Bundy will be increased from two to three.

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