NOTES FROM THE DESK

Author: Derek Schlickeisen

It's that time of year again - room draw. Now is the time when, in the words of one commons representative (no kidding), students must "pick which of their friends they like best" and use their lucky rank-in-commons numbers to save the less fortunate from living next to the boiler room. Housing is such a sensitive subject that I'd say it ranks second only to grades as the most awkward college-related conversation topic (we'll count drunken hookups as "hilarious").

Room draw is so stressful because several of the commons seem to have been hiding behind the proverbial door when the good dorms were handed out (namely Cook, Brainerd and Wonnacott). While financial constraints obviously exist, the simple fact is that the worst housing in some commons is better than the best housing in others.

Is it a bit whiny for students at one of the nation's most elite colleges to complain about their dorms? Of course. It's true that even the unluckiest Battell first-year living next to the bathroom has it better than much of the third world. There is, however, something to be said for looking at housing from the standpoint of equality. Given that Middlebury bases its commitment to a tremendous variety of causes on ethics, turning that same moral attention inward on one of the student body's biggest concerns might speak well of the school.

Current failings in the housing system aren't for a lack of good ideas. Back in October, the Strategic Planning Committee said it was looking at making senior room draw independent of the five commons. That's not a bad idea, although it might put some unlucky Atwater and Ross students in the odd position of having their worst housing senior year. Another solution seems a bit more reasonable: take portions of choice senior dorms (say, Atwater Halls A and B) and allot them to Cook or Brainerd. That way, while seniors in less fortunate commons can have an equal shot at good housing, the fall won't be too hard for those accustomed to living in style.

- Derek Schlickeisen
Features Editor