Campus Council members participated in lengthy discussions reviewing the sophomore year experience at their weekly meeting Thursday.

Members debated whether or not rising sophomores should have the option to live on Central Campus. University policy typically allows sophomores to live only on West Campus, although they were permitted to live on Central this year because of Few Quadrangle renovations. A survey conducted with a small sample of 25 sophomores living on Central this year found that 80 percent of them preferred living there to West Campus.

"If there is a minority [of sophomores that prefer Central]. We should see if the minority can be helped," said Campus Council Vice President Kevin Thompson, a senior.

Members considered whether such a provision would helpthe minority of sophomores who want to live on Central more than it hurts the majority of students who would not have the opportunity to interact with all members of their class.

"The sophomore year experience is designed as a continuation of [freshman year]," said Campus Council Treasurer Sean Puneky, a junior. "I definitely feel that if we were allowing sophomores to live on Central, then it would cause a breakdown in the sophomore experience. I feel like it is essential to the Duke experience in general."

Some members noted that international students may prefer apartment-style living so they can prepare their own meals.

"There are some people that might prefer to live on Central instead of West sophomore year," said sophomore Kevin Geck, an at-large representative. "I think that we need to explore how many people [feel that way] and whether it is a viable option for them."

Everyone agreed to table the discussion in favor of getting broader student feedback on the issue.

Also at the meeting, Alspaugh House Council requested funding for Tents of Hope, a national organization that sends personalized tents to Darfur to be used for housing and schooling.

Members agreed to fund the tent for the event, with only one member voting against it. They hope to set up a tent Nov. 2 on East Campus to be decorated by students.

Before the vote, however, members debated over whether or not funding the $1,000-dollar tent was an appropriate use of Campus Council funds.

"My argument was that we're using student activities funds to fund an item that will not remain on campus," said sophomore Tommy O'Malley, a member of the Campus Council Finance Committee.

There was also worry that spending much money for this event would take away from other events this semester. Puneky, however, said $8,000 of the $19,000 allocated for this semester remains, noting that there is only month left for programming until finals.