ResLife updated the FAQ on Room Draw, and there is some good news and some bad news. The good news is that we have finally entered the 21st century and will have Room Draw selection online. Gone are the days where we shuffle into Keefe and watch the number of rooms in our desired dorm tick down on the poorly updated website and manually changed bulletin boards. Now, from the comfort of our own dorm, can we demolish the dreams of others and become victors in the Room Draw War.
Here is some bad news. To the first years and sophomores: The LUV scoring system is remaining the same. Rising seniors will have a score of five, rising juniors a score of three and rising sophomores a score of 1. The higher the score, the higher your placement on Room Draw so, seniority is still in effect. To my fellow juniors: The Greenway dorms is going to be split in thirds between all three classes.
This means that while we do get our pick of the dorms, we will be battling with each other for our only opportunity to live in the new dorms before our graduation.
If you couldn’t tell from the tone of the last sentence, I am not pleased about this new change. I understand that the new dorms are high in demand, but it is also forgotten that this is the current junior class only chance to live in the new dorms. Current first years have two chances and sophomores one other chance to live in the new dorms, whereas we don’t even get to see the new science center. I’m not saying that we should have the new dorms senior only (even though no one complained about King Hall and Wieland Hall having in the past).
Instead, I will suggest half of the rooms should be exclusively for rising seniors. This gives underclassmen a higher chance of living in previously senior populated dorms. Yet, it allows for more rising seniors to have the chance at the Greenway dorms. For the seniors who don’t want to live there, allow underclassmen to take their spots after all the seniors have been assigned.
I’m curious what you all think. Comment on our Facebook pages, Instagram or tweet us your opinion. The Amherst Student will also publish an article on the Room Draw process with more detail so, look forward to that as well!