Students discuss need for choice, autonomy in house system

by BELINDA J. LOVETT, NEWS AND FEATURES EDITOR

   The words "choice" and "autonomy" were the key terms at a student discussion forum on the College House System held Tuesday.
   Approximately 35 students gathered to participate in the Student Government-sponsored forum to which administrators were not invited. The intent of the forum was to discuss possible improvements to the house system, which Student Congress could present to the Administration.
   Owen Strachan '03, a member of the Student Executive Board, opened the discussion by saying that the forum was not intended to be a "bashing session," nor to "praise Res Life for the wonderful job they've done."
   Much of the forum focused on two problems that many students saw as particularly important. The first was the lack of choice in entering the house system, and the second was the lack of autonomy of individual houses.
   Many students said that automatically assigning students to a house, without giving them any choice, resulted in a lack of ownership that most students feel toward their house affiliation.
   Other students said they felt that the sheer number of students who are affiliated with each house is a problem. They said that it is difficult for students to feel bonded to the approximately 300 affiliates with whom they otherwise have no connection.
   In addition, many students said they felt that the houses were often no more than a place for students to party-not a place where affiliates particularly belong.
   One student said that affiliates have access to the house and the house's events, but they really have no responsibility toward it, which once again detracts from their sense of ownership.
   Other students voiced the need for more house autonomy and less Residential Life control.
   One student said, "I think the biggest issue that needs to be addressed is that there's too much Res Life control."
   Students said they felt that the houses needed more character and that this was difficult to accomplish under the strict supervision of the College, especially Residential Life.
   Some students also identified problems with becoming an actual house resident. Some students said that people apply to live in the houses for the wrong reasons, which often involve the possibility of otherwise suffering an unfortunate fate in the housing lottery and not being able to live with friends.
   However, another student who was a member of the committee that put together the current house resident selection process said, "I think that the process is good, and what we need is more people interested in applying."
   Other students brought up issues regarding living in the houses. They said they feel that the houses lack individuality and that each house "just seems like another dorm, not a house."
   Students also said that they don't feel as if the houses are theirs to decorate; they just pay for the damages and turn the houses over to someone else the next year.
   Another concern that students expressed was the lack of diversity in the houses. One student said, "The lack of diversity in the houses is a big problem."
   She said that houses cater to an homogenous group which leaves many students feeling excluded.
   Students also offered possible solutions to the problems. The most loudly voiced opinion was that students should be allowed to choose whether or not they join the house system, and not be simply forced. It was also recommended that students should be allowed to choose which house they wanted to join if they do decide to participate.
   One possible method of implementing such a solution would be by sponsoring a "rush week" or day in which students would be invited to house activities and allowed to select a house affiliation.
   The need to welcome first-year students was especially emphasized, because part of building a house's individual character is establishing a legacy.
   Other students, though, also mentioned the importance of including upperclass students, as well. One suggestion was for the houses to sponsor more upperclass-only events so that those students would not be deterred from affiliating with the house due to the number of events that are geared primarily toward first years.
   Although no one could provide a solution to the rather large number of affiliates associated with each house, it was mentioned that the College hopes to add two more houses, with corresponding first-year dorms, eventually.
   One student expressed his opinion of the house system by saying, "I think it's failing as a system."
   He said that not enough people are applying to live in the houses, and affiliates aren't involved.
   Another student said, "I don't think the houses are going to work for everyone, and that's okay."
   One student concluded by saying that there have been years and years of talk regarding the house system, but nothing has been done. He said that if people don't want to do anything, then maybe there shouldn't even be a house system.
   Although few students at the forum were familiar with the fraternity system, one student did mention that the College Houses are more active in the community than the fraternity houses were. Another student said that the purpose of instituting the house system was to shoot for a system similar to fraternities but without the exclusivity.
   However, few students remembered the Alpha Delta Phi dinners to which students from all segments of the Bowdoin community were invited and welcomed.

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