Committee submits proposals for organization of sixth residential college

The University may create as many as three four-year residential colleges, according to a report released this morning by the Sixth College Program Committee.

The interim report of the committee, which includes students, faculty and administrators, outlines housing possibilities for the implementation of the Wythes Plan's additional 500 students and the construction of a sixth residential college.

The proposal would transform the University's unique two-year college system and move toward the structure of colleges at Yale University.

Incorporating upperclassmen into residential colleges may alter the level of student participation at the Prospect Avenue eating clubs. Vice President and committee chair Thomas Wright '62 explained, however, the plans will not pose a threat to the clubs as the dominant dining option for upperclassmen.

"If the eating clubs are as important as we think they are, there will not be a problem," said Joe Kochan '02, committee member and USG president. "What we're supporting will not encroach on the clubs. We're just offering something to someone who wants [something different]."

The combination of four-year and two-year colleges will house 250 upperclassmen, which is equal to the amount of students to be admitted under the Wythes' Plan. "There will be no fewer students available to join the clubs," said committee member Ryan Salvatore '02. "If anything, this will help the clubs."

Upperclass housing in residential colleges will be voluntary, making participation at the desired level of 250 students uncertain, Wright said.

"I think there will be demand," said committee member Shani Moore '02. "You can always make the upperclass housing as appealing as possible."

Wright said changes may be incorporated into the building renovation schedule — both in the timing and type of renovations. Larger dormitory rooms, new kitchens and more common rooms are possible changes to entice upperclass participants.

"It's a good time to be considering this change. We can build the new college to our specifications," Wright said. "We can also change existing buildings. At some point, you might need to renovate [the buildings in and around Butler]. Maybe even with bulldozers — there is real possibility."

The sixth residential college will house a combination of about 500 students from all four classes. Residential colleges currently comprise about 460 underclassmen and 25 RA and MAA upperclassmen, according to the report.

The committee's first proposal would distribute the additional upperclassmen to each of the six colleges — raising the total number of juniors and seniors in each college to 63.

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The second plan recommends one four-year college in which each class is represented by 125 students, including RAs and MAAs. The remaining five colleges would not change.

The third recommendation is for two four-year colleges comprising 338 underclassmen and 138 upperclassmen. The four other colleges would each increase by 10 students.

The fourth proposal is for three four-year colleges with 100 upperclassmen in each. It also calls for each four-year college to be paired with a two-year college to maximize the interaction among students of different classes.

Though the pairing recommendation — which would team the sixth residential college with Forbes college — would appear to limit the location of the new college to the area north of Forbes and near McCarter Theater, Wright said the college's location has not been determined.

"This report is mostly theory. We're thinking independent of the nuts and bolts," Wright said. "The location is something we really didn't think about. Our plans can be implemented anywhere."

Committee members are scheduled to meet with numerous campus groups throughout the month. The committee will then resume meetings to discuss student and faculty reaction to the four-year college proposals. Final recommendation to the University board of Trustees is scheduled for the Board's April meeting.