Little thoughts from a courtyard window view

Gazing outside my window overlooking the Little Hall courtyard over the past seven months has changed my outlook more than I could have imagined when I returned this past September as a Princeton senior. Before I get into the extent of my revised worldview, let me give you some history. Armed with the fourth draw time in the school lottery last spring, my friends and I opted for rooms in Little Hall. Our primary attraction to Little was the courtyard we enjoyed as sophomores two years ago. Plush grass, shining sun, good friends, no independent work: It was the life.

Some things never change. This year, we are still good friends, despite the occasional intrusion of independent work responsibilities, and the sun still shines (however minimally through this winter). The one thing that has changed dramatically is the state of the beloved courtyard we once knew. For the past seven months, the plush grass and easy accessibility to good times has been supplanted by dirt piles, strewn garbage, police caution tape and construction machinery!

Don't get me wrong. I'm not bitter. I don't object to reconstructing the walkways around campus. I don't mind that a month ago, "University officials" reported in the 'Prince' that the Little courtyard construction was scheduled to be completed by the beginning of this school year. Heck, I don't even mind that the University's vice president for facilities attributed the delay of the project to "a shortfall in the amount of stone available." Today, the stone is all set and the courtyard still resembles a collision between a flock of felines' favorite sand-box and a war zone. In my opinion, the courtyard mess will be cleared about the same time our campus turns into a barricaded compound for Reunions.

The reason for my writing this article is not to perpetuate the stereotype of the spoiled, self-absorbed, haughty Princeton student. I have sought to fight that image for the last four years. No, I'm writing this article to offer my thanks to whoever is responsible for this construction debacle for the life-changing consequence for me of having observed the defilement of the Little courtyard over the past seven months. I have decided to forgo my imminent employment in Dallas and subsequent plan for graduate school to pursue a job in construction at Princeton University. I have made this choice largely because of the advantages clearly available, and perhaps only available, in the field of dorm construction at P-town. A few of the especially exciting benefits are: one, I will expect to work only two hours a day (preferably 7:30 am – 9:30 am) for a maximum of two days a week; two, I can operate an ear-piercing drill only seven feet away from the sleeping heads of spoiled Princeton students; and three, nobody will begrudge me benefits one and two, indeed will compensate me for enjoying them. Besides, I like the construction workers. They're nice guys. Without their or my having any incentive to work, we'll have a good time while the University happily pays us for our lack of production.

So until my lazy days of fun in the sun at Princeton begin next year—anybody up for a game of dirt football on the Little courtyard? I'll meet you between the pile of splintered wood and the Port-o-Potty. Carlton Wynne is a religion major from Houston, TX. He can be reached at cwynne@princeton.edu.