Move to Weld Causes Stress

Forced to move to Weld Hall in order for Matthews Hall to be renovated, some first-years said they are finding it difficult to assemble new rooming groups.

Matthews residents must form new rooming groups from within proctor groups by today, according to students. The move is requiring that the two-to-three person Matthews rooms fit into the larger four-to-six person suites in Weld.

Associate Dean of Freshman W.C. Burriss Young refused to comment but said he is meeting with proctors today to discuss the reorganization. Matthews proctors contacted by The Crimson also refused to comment.

Many first-year Matthews residents said that the reorganization has been stressful, in part, because they are confronted with limited choices when creating new rooming groups.

One requirement is that students stay within their proctor group, forcing members to scramble for available openings.

"It's been a process of elimination, because they want us to stay in our proctor groups," said Irene E. Lusztig '96.

In one instance, said Lusztig, 12 students must fit into two six-person suites. When six students decide to live together, the remaining six must by default live together, according to Lusztig.

The strict guidelines for forming new rooming groups may also cause tension within existing blocs, said other residents.

"It gets real political. When you get a chance to choose, naturally there's going to be people left out," said Gerald J. Smith '96.

Still other first-years attribute the current problems to the lack of student input in outlining the reorganization process.

"The real problem is the lack of contact between students and the proctors and administrators. They met by themselves, decided for themselves and then disclosed their decision to us," said Michael A. Soss '96. "Our input wasn't really valued or asked for."

Soss said residents should be able to choosethe size of their room and what floor they canlive on, as well as their roommates.

Residents also complained about the shortdeadline. Many said they were told about thereorganization just several days beforeThanksgiving.

"We heard about it just a week before, and theThanksgiving break didn't give us much time. Ourproctor hadn't kept us up to date or anything,"said Ahmad I. Atwan '96, who is faced withseparation from his two roommates.

Some Happy to Move

But some residents disagreed, saying thereorganization is not a major concern.

"It's just kind of a hassle. It's not reallysomething that we're up in arms about," saidAlbert J. Harrison '96.

And others said they are looking forward to themove to renovated Weld. "We're the only freshmendorm in the yard with an elevator, new furniture,new paint," said Edward A. Villavicencio '96.

Matthews residents complained of poor heating,mice and run-down bathrooms and rooms. However,many lament the loss of large stairwells, apopular hang-out that fostered a sense ofcommunity among the floors.

"We all see each other. We all know each other.I don't know if it will be the same in Weld,"Villavicencio said

Soss said residents should be able to choosethe size of their room and what floor they canlive on, as well as their roommates.

Residents also complained about the shortdeadline. Many said they were told about thereorganization just several days beforeThanksgiving.

"We heard about it just a week before, and theThanksgiving break didn't give us much time. Ourproctor hadn't kept us up to date or anything,"said Ahmad I. Atwan '96, who is faced withseparation from his two roommates.

Some Happy to Move

But some residents disagreed, saying thereorganization is not a major concern.

"It's just kind of a hassle. It's not reallysomething that we're up in arms about," saidAlbert J. Harrison '96.

And others said they are looking forward to themove to renovated Weld. "We're the only freshmendorm in the yard with an elevator, new furniture,new paint," said Edward A. Villavicencio '96.

Matthews residents complained of poor heating,mice and run-down bathrooms and rooms. However,many lament the loss of large stairwells, apopular hang-out that fostered a sense ofcommunity among the floors.

"We all see each other. We all know each other.I don't know if it will be the same in Weld,"Villavicencio said