University of Virginia Library

Improvements In Dorms Gained

Alderman Committee
Makes Investigations
Of Living Conditions

After a wide range of investigations into the living
conditions of the Alderman Road and Observatory Hill
dormitories, the Alderman Road Committee has accomplished
several major achievements during the past two
months.

The committee has reviewed several possible uses for the
basement of the Glass Hat which will be at the disposal of
Alderman Road residents after Christmas break, but no
final action has been taken.

Suggestions include converting the room into a TV lounge,
a game room for cards or chess, or a meeting room for
discussions and guest speakers.

Disappointment was expressed by the committee over the
failure of the Intramural Department to set up an I.M.
program for the residents of Alderman Road, especially
after the success of last year's limited program. Prompt
action has been taken and a full program will be set up
after Christmas.

Eight new washers and dryers
have been installed in the laundry
room in Dunnington House.
The committee found that it is
the responsibility of the concession
operating the machines to
keep the room in good order, but
it is also the duty of students
to keep the room clean.

The committee is now conducting
an investigation into the
University Linen Service, trying
to discover the reasons for the
decrease in the number of towels
issued and the increase in
price. No evidence has been
found of a contract between
the service and the University.

The committee has set up a
subcommittee to investigate the
feasibility of a residential college
system at the University. It
is the view of the committee that
such a system would be preferable
to the present situation
where the dorms are simply regarded
as a place to sleep. This
system is modeled on the English
tradition of higher education
as exemplified by Oxford
and Cambridge Universities.

Other investigations are looking
into the maid services provided
by the Housing Office and
the wiring system of the dormitories.

The committee has also
learned that the vending machines
in the dorms are supposed
to be checked at least once a day.
Bernard Fontana of Food Services
is aware of the problem and
trying to remedy it.