Senior Year. It is a time when students are engrossed in writing culminating projects, spending lost time with close friends before they part, partaking in the vast pleasures that Dartmouth offers, and in the midst of this, determining what they will do following commencement. These activities and associated emotions form an experience so distinct from that of the other three years that seniors often find solace only in the company of classmates. In writing a proposal related to the Trustees' principles, the unique needs of seniors by virtue of their experience, cannot be overlooked. Consider this ...
It is a cold Wednesday night in Topliff, and Chris, a senior writing his thesis for history has a chapter due at 8 a.m. sharp Thursday morning. Eric and Stan, two sophomore members of Mu Omega are rather belligerent, having just finished 3 games of pong. They have decided to sing the theme of "Gilligan's Island" repeatedly outside of Chris's door. Frustrated, he attempts to mute the sound with earplugs, but after a few minutes of wear, they irritate his inner ear. He confronts Eric and Stan, asking them to quiet their singing, and they resentfully agree to do so, retiring to their respective rooms. This episode is not an isolated event for Chris, because he must deal with disturbances several nights every week.
This scenario represents the unique residential needs that seniors possess both academically and socially. The lack of a campus residential option honoring these needs pushes many seniors off campus, creating a more diffuse Dartmouth community. Seniors desire to live in a space that resembles what many know to be "the real world." This means living in apartment or town house style spaces where they have the liberty to prepare their own meals and have small gatherings if they wish. Most importantly, seniors want to live with those who understand the needs associated with writing culminating experiences, applying to graduate programs, and/or seeking employment.
One way of satisfying these needs is by building another apartment cluster similar to that in the river specifically, however for seniors. These apartments could favor various contemporary styles from hardwood floors with elaborate furnishings, to multi-level suite arrangements. Students should be allowed to augment these spaces in any manner they see fit to foster an inviting, comfortable atmosphere. The river apartments, while different from other clusters, still carry a residential, almost institutional feel. Programming money should be made available to facilitate student-professor interaction through home prepared meals or small discussion groups in the environment of the apartments. Seniors should also have the freedom in determining their roommates, and parking spaces should be available near the complex.
In addition to an improvement in residential options, seniors need an area to gather socially in greater numbers. This space would encourage the responsible consumption of alcohol by those 21 years of age and older. Conceptually, students often speak of an ideal place aesthetically "somewhere between Lone Pine Tavern and Murphy's." This space would, of course, have games and pool tables, less the synthetic feel of Collis. We are not suggesting an exclusive "senior club," but a place where seniors can informally convene on a new level.
We hope that these suggestions stimulate a deeper consideration for seniors' unique needs in the greater context of the Trustees' five principles.
