Students decry Proctor closing

Author: Thomas C. Drescher

A surge of student opposition to the College's decision to close Proctor Dining Hall on weekends shook the campus this past week and sparked the creation of a Student Government Association (SGA) proposal requesting the retraction of the controversial dining schedule modification. The proposal, however, failed to persuade SGA members in light of Director of Dining Services Matthew Biette's financial justification and assertions that the decision will likely be upheld despite significant student opposition.

Wonnacott Senator Eli Berman '07 presented a bill at Sunday night's SGA meeting stating two clear objectives: to affect the reopening of Proctor on weekends and, failing that, to persuade the administration to acknowledge the present inefficacy of commons dining. The bill, Berman explained, was designed to express the will of students and challenge the administration to clarify the role of commons dining in residential life. Berman, a self-proclaimed supporter of the Commons system, emphasized the positive implications of his work on this polarizing issue and, despite a current lack of support in the SGA Senate, said he hopes his efforts will aid in commons development and ultimately benefit all students.

The "rationale" section of the bill states that students in Wonnacott and Brainerd Commons "have not forgotten the College's plan to spend upwards of $25 million to build two additional dining halls where Proctor stands now - one for Wonnacott, the other for Brainerd," and expresses concern regarding the validity of this long-term proposal considering the College's current inability to operate three dining halls on weekends.

According to SGA President Andrew Jacobi '05, the complexity of the proposal forced SGA members to request that Berman revise his work and present two separate bills next Sunday.

A statement read on behalf of Biette to Sunday night's SGA Senate congregation explained the College's motivation for modifying the weekend dining hall schedule. According to the statement, the additional cost - as much as $150,000 - of hiring employees to operate a third dining hall on weekends is not supported by Dining Services' budget. Biette provided data illustrating the lack of necessity for a third dining facility to remain open on weekends. Taking into consideration the waste-minimizing, made-to-order setups at Ross and Atwater, it made sense to shut down Proctor in particular on weekends. Biette's statement also pointed out that Proctor is the new home of Dolci on Friday nights and will continue to be available as a venue for commons programming. Biette himself was unavailable for comment this week.

Jacobi cited the decision to close Proctor on weekends as contrary to the College's commitment to commons equity, but, along with Berman and other SGA members, acknowledged the legitimacy of Biette's financial justification. Still, Jacobi echoed Berman's concerns regarding the future construction of additional dining halls in light of the College's current inability to finance just three dining venues on weekends and the constant burden of a steadily increasing comprehensive fee.

While Berman met with Biette last week to discuss the Proctor problem and worked to develop a political, commons-based solution, other outspoken critics of the decision to close Proctor on weekends were working toward a similar goal. Brainerd Senator Nura Suleiman '07, who collaborated with Wonnacott Commons Residential Advisor (CRA) Sarah Jones and Brainerd Residential Advisor (RA) Mary Mendoza '06 to contact Brainerd and Wonnacott students by e-mail, organize a petition signing and encourage the student body to challenge Dining Services and the administration, stressed the importance of Proctor as a "home" for Brainerd residents. Many students on the south side of campus share Suleiman's assessment and have come to enjoy the unique amenities and comfortable and familiar surroundings of Proctor. Unfortunately for them, Ross or Atwater will have to suffice from lunchtime on Friday until Sunday at 5 p.m.

According to Mendoza, concerned students at last week's Brainerd Commons meeting discussed options for fighting the decision to close Proctor. Mendoza and others collaborated to author a petition that makes a number of entirely legitimate arguments.

The petition contends that Proctor should be reopened on weekends because it feeds the south side of campus, including Stewart, Hepburn, Gifford, Starr, Painter, the mods, a number of the academic interest houses and all of the social houses. By comparison, it asserts, "the Atwater complex feels extremely remote. It is neither practical nor fair to choose the Atwater dining hall over Proctor just because of its novelty."

The petition also reiterates Suleiman's sentiments, "We as students cherish the intimate and comfortable atmosphere that is available only at Proctor. Such a home-style ambiance is precious, particularly following the stressful, hurried work week."

At press time, the petition had been signed by 350 to 400 students from all over campus. Mendoza said their goal is 700, and she is optimistic that with the coordinated efforts of Brainerd, Cook and Wonnacott Commons and the SGA, students will succeed in persuading Dining Services and the administration to reconsider its position on Proctor.