Complaints about the Edens Quadrangle resonate through its residence halls daily though few formal suggestions for changes have been issued.
Tuesday night, however, the Edens Quad Council took the first step towards the improvement of the most distant West Campus quad by unanimously passing a six-page resolution--complete with a map of the quadrangle--that will be sent to Eddie Hull, Director of Residential Life and Housing Services, and other administrators, for review.
"[The resolution] was essentially a part of our year-long goals," said Garver Moore, president of Edens Quad Council. "But, when relevant personnel were informed of the idea, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive."
The resolution is divided into three sections--"On Safety," "On Amenities" and "On Aesthetics."
"On Safety," highlights the concern for adequate lighting among other topics. Presently, the Edens Quadrangle is lit by orange sodium lamps that, while cheap to maintain, are viewed as "wholly unacceptable to illuminate a Quad like Edens" because they create "negative psychological effects" and "it has been shown that under orange light it becomes more difficult to recognize people at intermediate distances."
"On Amenities," the longest part of the resolution, deals with changes that would make Edens a more appealing place to live and closer to an equal of Main West, in terms of living conditions. One of its strongest recommendations includes the landscaping of grassy areas between buildings into a more usable space complemented by picnic tables and foot-bridges. The resolution comments on the "overwhelming popular input" for an ice machine and the institution of an ATM machine. The Council expressed indignance about "the travesty" that Edens' residents pay the same price for Internet as those on Main West, who receive wireless Internet access while those in Edens do not.
The final section, "On Aesthetics," requests things such as more hard garbage cans, better maintenance of the landscape and that the University "seriously re-evaluates its philosophical outlook on the area." This final remark appears to be the overarching theme of the proposal that reflects students' feelings that the University neglects Edens. The resolution predicts in strong terms the failure of a quadrangle-based residential system if the quads are not viewed as relative equals by students. It proceeds further by stressing the importance of both residential groups and independents living together on campus and says that the removal of either group from campus would be detrimental to Edens.
Edens Quad Council has worked hard this year to make Edens a more appealing place to live. The Council sponsored a forum earlier in the fall semester to provide residents with the chance to voice their opinions about what changes should take priority.
"Room selection data from the past years really illustrates that students select other quads before Edens," said Anthony Vitarelli, Campus Council President. "I applaud Garver for his hard work and determination for improving life in Edens."
Moore hopes to speak with Hull as soon as possible and that some of the proposed changes will be implemented over the summer, though he recognizes that many will depend on the budget of Housing Services and what is deemed appropriate by administrators. "I'm certain that Dean Hull welcomes their suggestions and will take them quite seriously," said Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs, in an e-mail. "Final decisions about the residence halls rest with him and I know that he's delighted with the leadership exhibited by each of the Quad Councils (and Campus Council) and will work closely with the Council(s) on implementation where appropriate and within available resources."
Hull was unavailable for comment.
The resolution will be brought to the attention of Hull, Moneta and Tony Bumphus, facilities manager of the West II Service Office. DSG and Campus Council will have the chance to involve themselves as well if they choose to do so. Moore said he would like the final resolution to circulate among future inhabitants of Edens.
The resolution may be viewed online at http://www.duke.edu/~agm9/qc/index.html.
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