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Students Request More Independent Living Arrangements
By Melanie Sullivan '09
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Housing at Sweet Briar is a pressing issue this semester. Many students were hoping for singles next year and only fifty or so were available—when Junior room selection began only four singles were left.

I know I’m just a transfer student and am still new to how things work, but I have noticed students’ frustration with the lack of singles and different housing options. The availability and desirability of rooms definitely needs to be addressed on campus.

Sweet Briar currently houses 551 students; 193 of these women are from the class of 2010 alone. According to Kelly Espy, Director of Residence Life and Housing at Sweet Briar, “Our numbers are larger this coming year (’07-’08), so we are able to offer fewer single rooms.”

Rooms in dorms like Reid that have been used as ‘singles’ for this year, are true doubles and will be converted back for the 2007-2008 calendar year. The Admissions Office still cannot comment on an approximate number of students they are expecting in the fall.

“If you want a single, you should be able to get one. It shouldn’t be such a big deal. If students can’t be guaranteed a single it should be an indicator to the college that they need more housing” said Sarah Balderston ‘09.

One image Sweet Briar has been attempting to shed is that it is a finishing school for girls. Sweet Briar wants its students to be known for their intellect, not their ability to land a ring from an HSC graduate. Part of what contributes to the lack of respect shown to Sweet Briar women is the sheltered environment.

Many students, before graduating, have yet to pay a bill, deal with an electrician, or clean their own bathroom. Thankfully there isn’t a laundry service, or we would be completely lost! The inability of students to have more control over their living situations holds SBC back from establishing the reputation for which they aim.

Other women’s colleges, such as Hollins and Mary Baldwin, have established a larger number of on and off-campus options for their students. Sweet Briar still remains convinced that on-campus is the place to be, but provides almost no alternative housing save Patteson House and the Music Box.

The Sweet Briar website states “Living in a residence hall gives students the opportunity to develop self-discipline, establish meaningful relationships, and become responsible members of the community”.

Why can’t I establish the same qualities off-campus? The only way an SBC student can get permission to live off-campus is if she is at least twenty-three years old, married, living with a parent or guardian, or financially independent.

Hollins and Mary Baldwin have more living options, including limited housing and apartment complexes. “Living in Crone House [apartment] has been one incredible experience! It has prepared me for living on my own after graduation and reinforced the bond between my housemates and me” said Mary Baldwin grad Becca Bopp ‘03.

During the past two years, demands for upper class housing exceeded the availability so some students were allowed to move into temporary off-campus housing. Sweet Briar should be able to develop an off-campus housing option for students other then those who fit the above criteria. It would help girls prepare for life after graduation when many will be living on their own for the first time.

Another option might be turning some of the faculty homes into senior housing facilities. It could be a senior privilege on a first come, first serve basis. Housing for upperclassmen could also be extended into other buildings near the preschool, like Patteson and the Musicbox.

Steve Bailey, Director of the Physical Plant said in an e-mail that, “We are looking at the possibility of doing renovations to #5 Faculty Row for future housing needs and #10 Elijah (176 Power Plant Service) may also be used for future housing needs”. Both buildings are not being used right now.

Many of the students agree: we pay a large enough room and board that we should have more housing options.

Espy acknowledges that “As SBC grows, we have plans in place if we need to build new halls.” Perhaps it’s time to enact those plans now.