EDITORIAL: Residential living transformed

The effects of the college house plan have already taken root in campus philosophies. Little more than a month after the plan went into effect, the bolstered army of residential staff members has made its presence known; students are taking part in house events in increasing numbers; and, perhaps most significantly, attitudes about residential living are beginning to change, with students from the suites of Hill to the halls of Hamilton earnestly feeling an attachment to their houses. Formalizing room retention policies that have been, for the most part, in practice for some time would further this feeling of belonging. Under proposed procedures for next year's upperclass room selection, those wanting to retain their rooms or remain within the same college house would have priority for selection. In addition, the high rise system of community living, whereby groups of six to 12 students may arrange to live in adjacent rooms, would be expanded to each of the houses. Letting current residents have first choice of rooms would certainly encourage students to remain in their houses beyond the usual one-year stint. And universalizing opportunities for community living would speed up the process by which houses will begin developing individual personalities. Restricting the retention of freshman-designated rooms within traditionally upperclass houses, and designating upperclass clusters in traditionally freshman houses, would also ensure a mix of classes while making space for incoming freshmen. Even still, as residences are already near capacity, housing officials should be prepared in the case that these new incentives result in too high a demand. If there is any drawback to the proposed policies, it is that -- even taking into account the natural turnover of students, particularly graduating seniors -- residents unhappy in their college houses may find it more difficult to get rooms they want elsewhere. Still, though Penn may not yet be a second Yale, the college house plan and its related policies truly appear to be improving residential life.