University of Virginia Library

Problems Await Action By Main

In yet another effort to bridge the
gap, possibly a growing one, between the
students and the University Housing
Office, Student Council President Kevin
Mannix forwarded numerous complaints
by students to Ralph Main, Director of
Housing.

Each year complaints flood in to the
Student Council office concerning the
living conditions in the dormitories and
each year the Housing Office, according
to one student, "chooses to ignore
them."

According to Mr. Mannix there has
not yet been any reply to his letter which was
sent on November 20 and according to several
councilors and dormitory residents no apparent
steps have yet been taken to alleviate the
problems.

The fact which is most disturbing for some
students is that many of the current problems
have carried over since last year and quite
possibly from before that. On March 5, 1970,
former Council President James Roebuck sent a
letter to Mr. Main very similar in content to
that sent by Mr. Mannix.

Myriad Of Problems

Problems discussed at that time by Mr.
Roebuck included poor lighting in hallways and
rooms because of the use of low wattage bulbs,
inadequate maid and janitorial service, chronic
malfunctions of vending machines, and a need
for paper towel dispensers in the dormitory
restrooms.

All of these problems are among those
recently sent to Mr. Main. This would seem to
imply that sufficient efforts were not made and
are not being made by the Housing Office to
affect any solutions.

Exterminate Roaches

Other complaints which are presently being
heard include the need to paint or clean the
walls in rooms, the lack of fire extinguishers in
dorms, the need for more phone booths in
Mary Munford, the need for extermination of
mice and roaches, and the need for more trash
cans in the dorm areas.

When contacted Mr. Main acknowledged his
receiving Mr. Mannix's letter and explained that
it was his understanding from the letter that
two Council members were to have met with
him in order to discuss the specific problems
and that they had not yet done so.

Mr. Main further commented that he was
aware of the fact that many of the problems
were recurrent and that if someone would come
talk to him he would "have an explanation."
He hoped that the Council would follow up its
actions and contact him soon.

Mr. Mannix also issued a letter yesterday to
all members of the University community and
neighboring residents. The Council is
attempting to coordinate the processing of
alternative ideas and proposals regarding the
future development of the land across from
Cabell Hall.

All those interested should attend a meeting
which will be held tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the
Student Government offices on the fourth floor
of Newcomb Hall.