Mayer slated for undergrad living

The residence, traditionally the home of graduate students, will be restructured starting next year. Though traditionally designated as a residence for married graduate students and their families, Mayer Hall at 3817 Spruce Street will be restructured over the next few years in an effort to transform the facility into an undergraduate dorm. Starting next year, one floor of Mayer Hall will be open to undergraduates, according to Stouffer House Dean Anne Mickle. The floor consists of 11 one-bedroom doubles, each with a private kitchen, living room and bath. Mayer has been run this year under the auspices of Stouffer College House, and Director of College Houses and Academic Services David Brownlee said the facility has "a definite possibility for becoming the new Stouffer" when that building is demolished as part of the $300 million dormitory and dining hall renovation project set to begin this summer with renovations to the Quadrangle. Associate Vice President for Campus Services Larry Moneta noted graduate housing will be the University's "next major initiative," as officials draw up plans to renovate Sansom Place, also known as the Graduate Towers, and with the changes to Mayer. "We have a tremendous need to be attentive to our graduate students and fulfill their housing needs," Moneta said. Stouffer residents said that while they love their house, they are optimistic about its reincarnation across the street in Mayer Hall. "A house is made up of people, so you can have a good house anywhere," said fourth-year Medical student Ramin Ipakchi, a graduate associate in Stouffer College House. "It doesn't matter where the students live as long as they're happy and feel like they're living in a community." College senior Ian Kelley echoed that sentiment but added that he does have reservations about community atmosphere in the new facility. "I think the most important thing about Stouffer is the people, but the structure of the building really facilitates social interaction," he said. Interested students do not have to go through the housing selection process this year, as Mickle is personally assigning the rooms. Although she said 15 undergraduate students have expressed interest in moving into the facility, only two are confirmed to fill any of the 22 available slots. Wharton freshman Adrian Jones said room size played an important factor in his decision to select Mayer as his first-choice residence for next year. "It's like an apartment you might get off campus but it's so much closer," he said. Jones added that remaining a part of the Stouffer community was another factor in his decision. "I've made most of my friends here at Stouffer and I want to remain affiliated with the house," he said. Wharton sophomore Michael Germano cited the high quality of rooms in Mayer as a major incentive, noting that most undergraduate residences are "a mess." First-year Law student Peter Bramble -- one of three GAs in Mayer -- said he was optimistic about the integration of undergraduates into the house. "Mayer is a very quiet place right now, so [the undergraduates] will add some extra energy," he said.

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