<p>Mollie: that "snobbery" comment is a bit of a low blow, don't you think? I've got the message that it's "all about the people," but that argument can be a convenient facade behind which an administration can hide. I'm not asking for a "dead antiseptic hospital ward of a dorm," I'm simply hoping for a reasonable standard of aesthetics and cleanliness. I don't think those "values" and the "social" fit of a dorm are mutually exclusive.<br>
The fees at universities today are high, both for tution and accommodation... and if universities are going to charge high fees, they should in turn anticipate high expectations. But wait, I'm not expecting the Four Seasons, just a place to sleep that's not crowded, and that's reasonably clean.
Gimme a break. I know you love MIT, and so do I, but unconditional, unquestioning devotion has never held much appeal to me. But to each his/her own....</p>
<p>htwo0w, you're a real Maverick huh</p>
<p>way to stick it to the man.</p>
<p>
[quote]
just a place to sleep that's not crowded, and that's reasonably clean.
[/quote]
You get to be in charge of how clean your room is with your roommate(s), nobody else is going to do that for you. When you move in, it's clean and empty: after that, you get all the glory or blame. And that pretty much covers "crowded", too. If you keep less stuff around, the room will be less crowded.</p>
<p>Wait, is this guy serious? </p>
<p>What is your complaint, guy? That MIT does not send maids into your dorm room to clean up after you? Well, that's true. In addition, MIT does not dress you in the morning.</p>
<p>You are expected to dress yourself.</p>
<p>I've dressing myself ever since i was 12 years old :) my parents are very proud of me</p>
<p>LOL! Four Seasons won't be a bad idea!</p>
<p>In a typical dorm... which is the quitest part? (given, there are few or no singles in that dorm)</p>
<p>Are there catering services that deliver breakfast to your room? (Call it the Four Seasons bug!)</p>
<p>Is painting the walls fun?</p>
<p>
[quote]
I've got the message that it's "all about the people," but that argument can be a convenient facade behind which an administration can hide.
[/quote]
The administration, actually, does not think that dorm selection is all about the people. The powers that be at MIT would prefer to assign freshmen to dorms by lottery (see: Potter Report on Housing, 1989), and were the impetus behind the fact that all freshmen have to live on campus anyway (prior to my freshman year, FSILG rush and dorm rush were held concurrently and freshmen could choose to live in any institute-approved housing rather than just dorms).</p>
<p>The only force that has preserved the housing system in some form has been vigorous</a> student protest, led in the late 90s by the Undergraduate Association president, a certain M. McGann.</p>
<p>So actually, the administration would much prefer that you chose your dorm room based on superficial factors (although they would prefer even more that you didn't have a choice at all). It's the current students and alums who push the idea of choosing based on people. I happen to care so much about this particular issue that I was the rush chair for my dorm once upon a time. But it's something I've thought quite a bit about, and it's certainly not a pro-administration position.</p>
<p>EDIT: And for the money you're paying for an MIT dorm room, good luck finding a nicer apartment in Boston.</p>