Turning catchword into policy change

The new catchword for Residential Life is “transparency.” Celestino Limas, Acting Director of Residential Life, spoke about open communication and clarity while explaining upcoming Res Life plans and goals to student leaders on Jan. 18. Hopefully, this new policy Residential Life plans to implement will live up to its promise of clarity—especially since the change of leadership was anything but.

The new rhetoric of a “transparent” Res Life begs the question: what does transparency really mean? The circumstances of Faith Nichols’ departure have not been disclosed; College officials have declined to comment, citing legal liability. So, do we trust this new policy? Will it really improve the efficiency of Res Life or is it simply convenient rhetoric?

Vassar’s Office of Residential Life has been a frequent target of frustration and discontent. Most of the College’s 2,400 students live in on-campus housing, resulting in constant interactions with Res Life, both good and bad. The change of leadership offers a great opportunity for Res Life to reassess its relationship with the student body. In the spirit of transparency, it is important that Res Life re-evaluate some of its procedures and stay open to student suggestions, which will help ameliorate gripes against its methods of practice.

In the past, this relationship has not always been clear. When officers of Res Life check student rooms during Winter Break, they examine rooms without residents present. While room checks may be necessary to find safety hazards, it is nevertheless an invasion of privacy. It would be more “transparent” to conduct room checks while the occupants are in the room, so that students can see how their room is inspected. Having the occupants of the room present during checks would reassure students and alleviate issues of privacy. Moreover, checks have not been uniformly implemented. In the dormitories, the House Advisers—paid employees of the College— check student rooms. In the Town Houses, Terrace Apartments, and South Commons, however, rooms are checked by students who live in those areas. This is a significant disparity between policy and procedure, to say nothing of conflicting student interests.

The issue of dorm renovations and planning for sufficient student housing should be addressed as well. Res Life should have a more effective backup plan for student housing in case more accepted students enroll than expected. This year, some seniors were forced to live in the dormitories due to the larger senior class and insufficient housing at the THs, TAs and SoCo. While this blame cannot be placed squarely on Res Life, secondary plans of action need to exist. Moreover, some of the THs were in a state of disrepair, as is evidenced by the recently discovered mold in these housing units. We realize that Res Life has many issues to deal with and change, but Res Life should be more frank with students, including them in future plans, thereby enhancing the transparency they seem so desirous to achieve.

All of these issues point to a greater need for communication with students. Informing students of the challenges and changes of Res Life will build a better relationship between students and Res Life. The current nationwide search for a new director is still underway and should address these concerns of transparency in hopes of solving Res Life’s issues.

Unsigned editorials represent a two-thirds majority opinion of the editorial board.