A residential master plan for the College, proposing that eight houses be created on campus, will be presented at campus meetings on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 12:30, 4:30 and 7 p.m. in Old Chapel.
Doug Marshall of Sasaki Associates, a nationally-known planning firm working with the College, will be present.
Sasaki Associates analyzed all residential space and based its house system recommendation on four criteria – architecturally-embracing character, large enough to accommodate a “critical mass” membership, small enough to allow the house membership to function as a recognizable entity, and appropriate co-curricular space to enhance the living/learning environment.
The Sasaki proposal calls for the renovation of Sigma Phi, Psi Upsilon, Chi Psi, and North and South Colleges, and the construction of a new house adjacent to Richmond House (North and South would have two houses each). All students and faculty would be assigned randomly to membership in one of the houses. Each house would have social and recreational space, kitchen facilities, offices, meeting rooms and a budget to implement social and cultural programs.
Creation of a house system is a key part of The Plan for Union, a strategic plan that was approved by the Board of Trustees last spring. The plan envisions a house system designed to give every student access to a social group and to good social and residential space. All houses will be expected to contribute intellectual, cultural, and social events to the campus; participate in orienting new students; sponsor community service projects; and field teams for intramural competition. In Phase II of the Plan for Union – which would begin once funding is identified – Fox, Davidson, West, and Richmond would be renovated to create more single rooms and more social space.