Mix classes in women's dorms
Mary Petrides
Issue date: 9/10/09 Section: Opinion
I don't want to play the oppressed woman card because I don't think it's accurate, but the women's housing situation on campus hardly makes sense.
When I lived in Olds Residence, my freshman friends on Simpson Hall's third floor north jabbered excitedly about their new home. The upperclassmen on the hall taught them to place welcome mats outside their doors, in keeping with 3FN tradition. They showed us their banner--a pair of pinstriped pants on a broomstick--and sang their "panthem" for us.
When I lived in Benzing Residence, the same friends began passing on these traditions to the hall freshmen. They found photos of these freshmen on Facebook, printed them and added them to the walls, placing them among photos of 3FN residents and alumni.
I live in Mauck Hall now, and these friends are upperclassman 3FN-ers. This year, they'll help plan the annual 3FN Halloween party--their third. They'll initiate newcomers and welcome returning graduates at homecoming.
They'll probably stay on the hall next year.
Freshmen will meet other freshmen in Great Books and heritage classes and don't need "freshmen dorms" or "freshmen halls" to bond--in fact, most of my freshman women friends lived in McIntyre Residence.
Mixing women of different classes throughout the women's dorms would allow freshmen to spread out their questions among hallmates instead of overwhelming resident advisers in "freshmen dorms."
Additionally, freshmen women would have a core group of upperclassmen to welcome them in and show them the ropes. Even if the dorm or hall doesn't insist on weekly Feast nights or welcome mats outside each door, merely being surrounded by welcoming upperclassmen can help freshmen ease into college life.
When I lived in Olds Residence, my freshman friends on Simpson Hall's third floor north jabbered excitedly about their new home. The upperclassmen on the hall taught them to place welcome mats outside their doors, in keeping with 3FN tradition. They showed us their banner--a pair of pinstriped pants on a broomstick--and sang their "panthem" for us.
When I lived in Benzing Residence, the same friends began passing on these traditions to the hall freshmen. They found photos of these freshmen on Facebook, printed them and added them to the walls, placing them among photos of 3FN residents and alumni.
I live in Mauck Hall now, and these friends are upperclassman 3FN-ers. This year, they'll help plan the annual 3FN Halloween party--their third. They'll initiate newcomers and welcome returning graduates at homecoming.
They'll probably stay on the hall next year.
Freshmen will meet other freshmen in Great Books and heritage classes and don't need "freshmen dorms" or "freshmen halls" to bond--in fact, most of my freshman women friends lived in McIntyre Residence.
Mixing women of different classes throughout the women's dorms would allow freshmen to spread out their questions among hallmates instead of overwhelming resident advisers in "freshmen dorms."
Additionally, freshmen women would have a core group of upperclassmen to welcome them in and show them the ropes. Even if the dorm or hall doesn't insist on weekly Feast nights or welcome mats outside each door, merely being surrounded by welcoming upperclassmen can help freshmen ease into college life.
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