Context and continued dialogue on Spelman 7 and 8

Next year, the four-year residential colleges are planned to house about 300 juniors and seniors, of whom about 125 will be in Mathey and about 175 will be in Whitman. This fall, a new option will allow students to enjoy many aspects of independent living while residing in a four-year college. The planned addition of Spelman 7 and 8 to Whitman College provides this option by allowing students to purchase a minimum 95-meal plan and draw rooms in kitchen-equipped suites, cooking the remainder of their meals.

The allocation of Spelman 7 and 8 seemed the most appropriate means of achieving this result, given the downward trend over the last several years in the number of students choosing to be independent and its close proximity to Whitman. This inventory adjustment permits the desired flexibility for students interested in independent dining options to be able to participate fully in a college - an idea brought up by students during a series of town hall meetings held last year in anticipation of the launch of the four-year college program. The idea was discussed at these meetings, and the determination was made that implementation would be considered for next year's draw.

To accommodate the needs of independent students who do not wish to live in a four-year college, Spelman 1-6, 2 Dickinson co-op, and independent draws are offered. For those independent students who wish to remain in traditional dormitory living areas outside of the residential colleges or suite-style housing, many other independent rooms exist in close proximity to kitchens within various buildings on campus.

The choices available for independent housing should be sufficient to meet the needs of students wishing to draw into independent options, especially since there has been a 28 percent decrease since 2005 in students choosing to be independent. As is the case in all draws, independent students may not get their first choice of rooms, but there are typically enough independent options available for them to select a room. Most importantly, all students who participate in draw are guaranteed a space in housing even if they find themselves on the wait list.

Juniors and seniors will have multiple residential and dining options again this year. These include independent housing, four-year colleges and upperclass housing. Choices of dining options include dining hall, club and shared meal plans. The Housing Office has heard and understands that some students are concerned with the planned changes. We are committed to reviewing room draw applications after the application period has closed to ensure that the allocation of bed spaces reflects interest in the various options as much as possible in all draws.

Lisa DePaul is the assistant director of student housing. Angie Hodgeman is the manager of undergraduate housing. They can be reached at ldepaul@princeton.edu and hodgeman@princeton.edu.