That frustrating time of year is fast approaching. That time when every first-year, sophomore and junior is randomly assigned a number and we all feel we got the worst of any possible number. Thatís right, itís time for room selection.
Erin Leonardi, Associate Director of Residence Life at the College, talked about the important changes and tips for those of us who, once again or for the first time, are going through the room selection process.
A positive change, which many may be unaware of is the redesigned website. This new website (http://www.wooster.edu/Student-Life/Residence-Life) has a more user-friendly feel where students can explore their options, access more specific information and find all the forms one might need during this time.
Along with these changes are improvements in hall designations.† As it did this year, the love-it or hate-it Holden Annex will remain closed.† First-year halls will now be Bornhuetter, Wagner, Compton and Douglass.
The reason for these changes are the desire to keep first-years closer together rather than have them spread out over campus.† When asked how many first-years were expected for the coming school year, Cathy Finks said that while ìit is way too early to know the class size for the incoming first-year class,” a target goal is 515 students.
While these changes may come as a shock to some, especially that Wooster will potentially no longer have an all-female hall, Leonardi pointed out that ìhall designations change as the need for them changes.”
Overall, few changes have been made for the upcoming school year.† For the most part the Residence Life staff and the room selection process will remain the same.
Leonardi shared with me tips for those new to the room selection process and those who are veterans.† Being aware of your options is very important.
Itís useful to keep in mind that dynamics within halls change.† While this year a certain hall may have a reputation for being loud or quiet, every year is different.
ìWhen youíre losing a quarter of your student population,” [and gaining an entirely new quarter to add to the student population], dynamics have to change,” pointed out Leonardi.
Walking through the different buildings you are interested in is also helpful.† Try to become familiar with rooms you would want to live in. It is perfectly acceptable to politely ask to view a room, or, if doing that scares you, Res-life has floor plans of each hall.† However, that those floor plans are not always the most reliable concerning size.
When walking though these buildings also take into consideration what is important to you.† Would you like to live on a street or facing a quad?† Are windows important? If so you might not want to consider any rooms on ground floors.† Do you want sun? If yes, from which direction?
I found the most important piece of advice to be that room selection should be approached with an open mind.† Halls fill up quickly and differently each year, which is why you should have several options in several different halls.
Residence Life is continually evaluating room size and trying to find the most comfortable solution for all students and avoiding cramped living spaces as best they possibly can.
For more information concerning the upcoming room selection process or housing questions in general, Erin Leonardi encourages questions and concerns which she will be happy to answer by email at ELeonardi@wooster.edu.