EDITORIAL Broader focus

Our school is one of the many schools across the nation that is experiencing housing shortages. Colleges and universities, like the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign and the University of Delaware, are taking similar actions as our school to alleviate housing crunch- I es. They, like we, are tripling up double rooms and converting study lounges into rooms. Now, plaris are in the works for a new dorm on campus that is predicted to be able to accommodate 160 students by the fall of 2000.

The construction of a new dorm is a step in the right direction towards solving future housing problems. However, we believe that the administration needs to place a greater emphasis on improving the current housing situation and other facilities.

Recently, a letter went out to commuter students from Catherine Caulfield, director of resident life, inviting them to reside on campus next semester. Although there will be openings due to transfers, graduation, etc, we question how an invitation like this one can be made. Currently, there are numerous rooms in both the dorms students but arc housmg three srudenb. In addition, I lounges in Woodcrest. Xavier and the Dixon house have been converted into rooms. Yet, there are no plans to I cl'minate the~e crammed conditions next ,;emcster. Why, ,hen, is the school asking for more students to live on campus?

Aside from dealing with the present quality of resident life, the school also needs to focus its attentions on improving facilities outside of the residential life realm. Equal consideration and action has to be taken towards bettering educational facilities like the library, the cafeteria and the theater and towards developing more modern science facilities.

Building a new dorm will definitely help provide housing for future students. But we would like to see a larger stress placed on making sure that current students are satisfied with their living conditions as well as an expansion on the amount of areas on campus that are considered for improvement. Administration, please broaden your focus to encompass betterments other than those for future students and for resident life.