As 2006 wound down, the editorial board of Student Life followed the lead of millions of others, and made New Years’ resolutions. Student Life’s resolutions, however, had a fairly predictable twist. They were concerned solely with Wash. U., and changes that should happen this semester. Here they are:
Lose weight. It may have been a freak occurrence, but the University needs to admit fewer incoming freshmen next year than they did this year. Upperclassmen should not be forced out of the housing that they had already been granted just to make room for freshmen. It would also help increase the University’s ranking, which always seems to be of the utmost importance, by making the University more selective. Let Wheeler become a sophomore dorm again next year.
Manage money better. The second half of meal plans are now available for students to use. But even though they paid for these points at the beginning of the academic year, these points were off-limits first semester, and anyone who ran out of points had to buy more. There are administrative benefits to splitting up the meal points by semester, such as for students going abroad, but can’t students be able to dip into their second semester points first semester?
Eat better. Frankly, the new Latino Grill in Mallinckrodt is just disappointing. And the Asian station isn’t much better. When students filled out surveys saying that they wanted Asian food in Mallinckrodt, many thought a different fast food place would be coming in to replace Taco Bell instead of simply another Bon App‚tit location. Make the wishes of those students come true, and bring a new fast food place, which students already like, to the Mallinckrodt food court.
Don’t embarrass yourself in public. We’re just going to pretend that the rapping thank yous made by administrators uploaded on YouTube for those who filled out course evaluations never happened.
Be prepared. After last semester’s snowstorm, the University was not able to salt walkways to class adequately. Fortunately, remnants of the most recent ice storm were all but gone by the beginning of classes this semester, but the University’s response to ice storms must be improved.
Be upfront with your significant other. Time and time again, finals are moved midsemester, and students who had planned out their final schedule before get stuck with having an inordinate amount of work piled up for just a couple of days, often without the benefit of a reading week. Professors should set the final date at the beginning of the semester, and keep that date.
There you have it, our 2007 resolutions. Oh yeah, we wouldn’t mind fewer gigantic holes on campus as well. Happy New Years!