The latest Undergraduate Assembly proposal, involving the placement of future freshman classes in the College House system, stems from a logical concern. However, we believe its execution will be difficult and will raise many questions regarding the displacement of upperclassmen.
The new proposal seeks to give freshmen the option to live exclusively with other freshmen, thereby fostering that elusive quality of class unity. That aside, it stands to reason that having freshmen live among other freshmen will produce a more comfortable environment while they are getting used to university life.
While we support this sentiment, it is worth noting that it directly contradicts the University's previous stance: that one of the advantages of the College House system was the intermingling of freshmen and upperclassmen. This turnaround is curious, but it makes more sense -- especially since most freshmen are likely to meet upperclassmen through classes and social events anyway.
Our main concern with the proposal is the effect it will have on housing for non-freshmen. Specifically, in designating the entire Quadrangle as "Freshman Recommended Housing," it appears that the resolution, if passed, could displace a significant number of upperclassmen.
It is already difficult for juniors and seniors who wish to stay in the Quad to get housing; this resolution has the potential to make it all but impossible. Given the already high demand among residents and the University's expressed desire to keep upperclassmen in on-campus housing, the potential for this proposal to have detrimental effects on the non-freshmen among the undergraduate student body may outweigh the positive effects it would have for the freshmen.
We recognize that this resolution represents a noble goal: namely, to improve the quality of life for freshmen and to ease the culture shock of adjusting to a large and sometimes intimidating university for the first time. However, we caution the UA and the University to seriously consider the repercussions that such a resolution would have on the rest of the student body if officially enacted.
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