ResLife, Senate considering housing lottery modifications

Though this years housing lottery numbers have yet to be released, plans are already underway to modify the process for the following year's selection.

The lottery numbers are expected to be released by the Office of Residential Life and Learning (ResLife) within the next two weeks.

According to Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate Historian Jeff Katzin, the Senate is considering proposing changes to the system that would make numbers more evenly distributed. "We look at how other schools do it to try to get an idea of alternative methods," he said.

One possible system would involve having three categories of numbers: high numbers, middle numbers, and low numbers. Each year, each student would be given a random number within a different range. By giving each student a number in a different category each year, Katzin hopes the lottery will present a more level playing field.

"Now, a student may be incredibly unlucky and get low numbers all three years while another student is blessed and has high numbers every time," Katzin said.

The Senate also hopes to improve the housing lottery by pushing for an even earlier release date for the housing numbers. Before last year, when housing numbers were in December, numbers were drawn only shortly before the selection process in March.

"Getting [the housing numbers] out early gives people more information sooner to help them make better decisions [about where to live]," TCU Treasurer Josh Belkin said. Belkin said that the Senate has been discussing several other methods to make the housing lottery more fair and predictable.

The availability of on-campus housing for upper-classmen plays a role in the admissions process, according to Director of Admissions Allan Clemow. He said that in order to figure out what size of class to admit, admissions officers must consider how many students are returning, how many students are studying abroad, and how many students are expecting to live off campus.

ResLife takes these figures into account when allotting space for incoming students. Reslife also recently sent a survey to rising seniors in an effort to determine how many would chose on-campus housing.

The first priority for space, however, goes to underclassmen, according to ResLife Director Yolanda King. "We guarantee housing to freshmen and sophomores. If these classes are large, they will utilize more space on campus which interprets into fewer upperclassmen being housed," she said.

Until the numbers are released, King said, the only thing students can do is prepare for each possible scenario. "At this time it is important for students not to panic about housing, but to wait for the numbers to be released and then begin to think about options for living on or off campus," she said.