U.C. Rejects Garden Street Housing Preference

The Undergraduate Council last night voted down a controversial resolution which would have given first-years living at 29 Garden St. preferential treatment in the spring housing lottery.

The resolution states that "rooming blocks comprised of at least 75 percent of residents of 29 Garden St. be guaranteed that they will receive one of their top four choices of upperclass houses."

According to Council Chair Malcolm A. Heinicke '93, upperclass representatives were split over the issue, but most first-year delegates voted against the measure.

Supporters of the resolution argued that preventing residents of 29 Garden St. from being randomized was a fair way to compensate for their troubles this year.

"The students living at 29 Garden St. will lose an important part of the Harvard experience," said Randolph A. Fine '96, who sponsored the resolution.

"Namely, they don't get to live in the Yard like other first years," said Fine, who represents the 29 Garden St. residents.

Residents of 29 Garden St. present at the meeting said that they lose "a significant amount of time" commuting to the Yard and are concerned about their safety when they return to their rooms after dark.

Many council members, however, disputed their claims of discomfort, citing that residents of 29 Garden St. enjoy carpeted rooms, halogen lamps, kitchens, refrigerators and even have the option of cable television.

"They are already compensated for their troubles," said one council member.

Said the council's press and publicity liaison Victor Chiu '95, "I don't think that the council disagrees with the fact that the 29 Garden St. residents got the shortend of the straw. However, I don't think thisresolution is the way to go about remedying thisproblem."

First-years at 29 Garden St. exited thechambers immediately after the resolution failed.Many said that they did not get an opportunity toargue their case.

"It was a circus," said Adrienne R. Bradley'96, "My high school student council was moreorganized than the Undergraduate Council."

Many of Bradley's classmates agreed with her,citing the attempts of many council members toclose debate on the resolution before somefirst-years had a chance to speak.

"Some members of the council were verydisrespectful toward us," said Adam A. Abramson'96. "Some were even laughing at what we had tosay. It's a very hypocritical atmosphere when youcompare what they say to what they do."

In other business, the council approved aletter to be sent to Dining Service DirectorMichael P. Berry, requesting certain changes inthe menu and dining service.

The council, after a heated debate, approved 11requests, including a flexible meal plan optionwhich would allow students to have a choice of 14or 20 meals a week.

The council's Residential Committee will bemeeting with Berry on Tuesday

First-years at 29 Garden St. exited thechambers immediately after the resolution failed.Many said that they did not get an opportunity toargue their case.

"It was a circus," said Adrienne R. Bradley'96, "My high school student council was moreorganized than the Undergraduate Council."

Many of Bradley's classmates agreed with her,citing the attempts of many council members toclose debate on the resolution before somefirst-years had a chance to speak.

"Some members of the council were verydisrespectful toward us," said Adam A. Abramson'96. "Some were even laughing at what we had tosay. It's a very hypocritical atmosphere when youcompare what they say to what they do."

In other business, the council approved aletter to be sent to Dining Service DirectorMichael P. Berry, requesting certain changes inthe menu and dining service.

The council, after a heated debate, approved 11requests, including a flexible meal plan optionwhich would allow students to have a choice of 14or 20 meals a week.

The council's Residential Committee will bemeeting with Berry on Tuesday