A housing proposal

It is a melancholy object to those who walk through this great University when they see the residence halls crowded with independents. The recent proposal to organize them into themed “houses” ignores both the desire of students to be independents in the first place and the problems of the current housing model.

The hermit-like tendencies of independents, who choose to live either by themselves or in small blocks in order not to have to talk to their neighbors, have long been recognized. In contrast, selective living groups and fraternities have always provided community and social organization for Duke’s student body, who, if they could not attend the parties hosted by these groups, might be forced into other activities or even have to venture into Durham. It is clear then that the secluded nature of independents has become too much of an obstacle to the community building of SLGs and that a solution must be found.

A new housing model would better serve the student body if it completely eliminated independents from West, as well as from campus housing altogether. It will not be hard to find independents other places to live a reasonable 10- or 20-minute walk away from campus. Those who do not wish to walk this distance will be able to live in Chapel Hill and take the Robertson Bus, which is free and runs until midnight on Saturdays. This proposal will obviously require some SLGs to move to Central Campus. However, it has recently been reported that four new SLGs have started to colonize Central, so I think this will not be a problem.

This new arrangement would provide a number of benefits, not the least of which is that it will greatly improve the reputation of this University. With independents being replaced on campus with more fraternities, sororities and SLGs, the cleanliness of campus and the increased concentration of collared shirts and Ugg boots will allow Duke to show its best face to the many visitors who come each year. This will further highlight the best features of these groups just as their many exploits of late have enhanced Duke’s reputation nationally.

No longer housed on campus, independents will neither be bothered by the excessive noise they cannot tolerate, nor will they be forced into social situations they obviously cannot handle. This will also cure a malady of which independents often complain: Although SLGs establish communities for their members, it comes at the expense of a larger Duke community.

Not only will independents benefit from living off campus, but also the experience of the private-member Duke students will be enhanced. They will first of all continue to have a flourishing community while living close to campus, which is their preference unlike independents who usually choose to live on Central. Student input into the administrative workings of the school will be increased, as most of the current flow of student desires is channeled through organized groups. SLGs will no doubt use this further student involvement to build up and strengthen their groups with even more efficacy than they do now.

I am quite sure that some SLGs lately added to West, which have fallen prey to members who join just for the location, will learn to embrace their exclusive status once independents are gone. Additionally, what better way to promote the mixing of our diverse student body than by granting each cultural group its own living space?

Some will argue that even if this proposal is adopted there will still be other problems associated with the current residential life situation at Duke. However, none of these problems can be solved until independents are removed from campus entirely. Therefore let no one talk to me of other problems: the racial and gender segregation of campus, the excessive drinking culture, sexual harassment at parties, Duke’s damaged reputation, openness of student input to all, an impoverished campus community and the sense of entitlement among students that generates housing conflicts in the first place.