Upperclassmen stick to crowded colleges

By Jennifer Supernaw

Despite concern that a larger than usual Class of 2000 would cause crowding in the residential colleges and force a large number of students into annex housing next year, many upperclassmen with the option of fleeing their colleges are choosing to remain on campus.

As predicted, deans had more trouble than usual finding room for rising sophomores, who are required to live in the residential colleges. As a result, many colleges are completely filled for the first time in several years. Silliman Dean Hugh Flick, Jr. said the usually spacious college is "the fullest it's been in a long time." This year 410 students signed up for housing in the college, which is designed to accommodate 412 occupants, he said.

In many colleges, the increased housing requirements have led to a need for more annex space on Old Campus. Calhoun Dean Stephen Lassonde said the college will annex 41 students in Vanderbilt next year, almost twice as many as this year. Since the Class of 2001 is projected to have 120 fewer students than the Class of 2000, more annex housing will be available on Old Campus than in the past.

In some colleges, however, the number of students being annexed has not been significantly affected. According to Peter Blenkinsop, JE '99, a member of his college's housing committee, "We have some people in annex housing every year. It's been a little tight, but we've been able to house everybody. We won't need any extra annex space next year compared to other years."

Although some upperclassmen were initially worried about the possibility of being annexed next year, administrators said they did not expect this concern to compel juniors and seniors to move off campus. According to Dean of Administrative Affairs John Meeske, JE '75, "I thought people would wait to see what they got in the room draw."

In fact, many students who decided to remain on campus next year said they were not overly concerned. "To some extent I was afraid of being annexed, but I thought I had a good chance of getting a single in TD." Joshua Panas, TD '99 said. "Most of my friends in TD are staying on. They said they wouldn't mind being annexed as long as they could live together."

Although final figures for Yale College are not in, the University expects the trend set by Silliman and Calhoun to hold. According to Lassonde, "More rising juniors are staying on than we had expected. I think this is largely because the Calhoun junior class is very cohesive."

Yale College Dean Richard Brodhead, BR '68, GRD '72, said he believes the number of students living outside the residential colleges is declining because the appeal is diminishing. He said that students may be staying on because "there was a kind of fad reason for [moving off campus], and I think the attraction for that has worn off."

Students who have decided to move off campus next year said that concern about the college housing situation was not an important factor in their decision. According to Kate Kaplan, BR '99, "I decided to move off because I wanted my own kitchen, more privacy, and a chance to live with a friend in another college. The possibility of being annexed didn't directly influence my decision."

Students planning to keep their off-campus apartments next year said concern about housing shortages in their colleges was not responsible for keeping them away. Saskia Cornes, JE '98, said, "I moved out because I wanted to have more control over my environment. I briefly considered going back and decided against it, but the housing crunch was definitely not a factor."

Despite worries among students about overcrowding in their colleges next year, administrators promised to meet student concerns. "We don't have all the numbers at this point because all the colleges haven't finished their room draws yet, but people are being accommodated reasonably well," Meeske said. Back to News...