In response to last year’s room shortage, the administration is planning to make several changes to the housing and admission policies in hope of avoiding a housing crunch next year. Decreasing the size of the incoming class, relocating theme groups, and changing the substance free housing policy are this year’s tactics to amend the housing situation.

"We were concerned that room draw has this perception of being unfair and hectic, especially for sophomores...we are seeking to improve last year’s lack of options," said Commissioner of Residence Halls and Dining Service Liz Rodriguez ’03.

In last year’s room draw, a shortage of rooms resulted in a number of negative consequences. Much of the sophomore class was forced to defer, many juniors deferred in hope of landing a single on North Campus, people were paid a stipend to live off-campus, and some freshmen were placed in Lyon triples, albeit with various compensations.

The experience left some students frustrated and disappointed with room draw. "[Last year’s room draw] was very stressful. We all turn into little Machiavellis, plotting and planning for the best possible room," said sophomore Nancy Hanna.

"It’s a horrendous atrocity that freshmen have singles in Walker, and that some people have singles all four years, while people like myself have a double two years in a row," Hanna complained.

According to Dean of Admissions Bruce Poch, the housing shortage resulted from fewer people going abroad, living off-campus, or taking a leave of absence.

"[While the] crowding this year was not because of the number of incoming freshmen," Poch continued, "we are, at least as of today, planning for a class of freshmen 25 [students] smaller, and transfers will go down in number from 25 to 10 people."

The end goal is for an incoming freshmen class of 375 students, although there is always some guesswork involved in determination of class size, since the percentage of accepted students who decide to attend Pomona is variable.

"We’re going to aim lower [in number] this year to avoid the possibility of a housing crunch," Poch stated. If an unexpectedly high number of students decide to live off-campus, study abroad, or take a leave of absence, the Office of Admissions will adjust their acceptance rate upward.

One of the main alterations in housing policy involves the selection and location of theme groups.

"We were responding to people’s concerns that theme groups got really good rooms," Rodriguez stated. "We made a conscious effort to make sure more of the theme group housing was doubles and tried not to give away all the prime spots on South Campus."

"Locations for theme groups are being selected prior to the process," Director of Housing Deanna Chalfant commented. "The idea is to let students know what the possibilities for housing are so it will decrease some of the misconceptions that seem to float around during the process." Theme groups will still have the benefit of living near friends and avoiding the often stressful experience of room draw.

The other major change in the housing plan involves the administration of substance-free living.

"The area of Mudd Blaisdell around the substance-free sponsor groups will go into the Room Draw process as substance-free, rather than a small hallway held out prior to [room] draw," Chalfant explained. "Students wishing to select rooms in that area will be required to sign the same contract as the Substance Free Hall residents have in the past." Previously, students electing to live in the substance-free hallway were required to sign this contract, but they did not select the rooms through the room draw process. In addition, the hall was kept separate in the past, but will now be located near the substance-free sponsor groups.

Building renovations will also affect available rooms. As a result of the Clark I renovation, the four two-room triples in Clark I will be converted into two five-person suites, creating two fewer beds. In addition, the Frary renovation will disable power in nine rooms in Clark I and Norton Clark, therefore precluding them from this year’s room draw options. According to Chalfant, these beds will be made up for by an eighteen additional beds which are planned as part of the Blaisdell renovation this summer. Room draw is tentatively scheduled from April 16 through April 18.