University of Virginia Library

Citizen Main

"Nitpicking regulations and disruptive
policies of enforcement in the dormitories are
undermining the atmosphere of trust and the
ordered environment which Jefferson viewed
as essential in a true academical village."

-"Counselor X"

"Counselor X" is not alone. He and a
growing number of dissident dormitory
counselors are beginning to explore seriously
the rationale by which Housing Office policies
are made and enforced. Their concern follows
reports of unprecedented harassment along
McCormick and Alderman Roads by petty
bureaucrats, housing inspectors and
housekeeping personnel.

"These petty officials," said "X,"
"including the chairmen of counselors, are
more concerned with private interest and
personal domain than with the quality of life
in University housing." He called Housing
Director Ralph Main the chief instigator of
the crack-down.

"X's" remarks seemed to echo those of
Charles Whitebread, associate professor of law
and resident advisor in Watson House, who
yesterday attacked Mr. Main's policies and
described an emerging "police state
atmosphere" in the residence houses. Mr.
Whitebread confirmed rumors that members
of the housekeeping staff have been placed
under strict orders to report infractions of the
terms and conditions of housing leases. He
cited a "huge number of authoritarian and
senseless rules that are cutting into dorm
life."

While noting that not all the regulations
are unjustified, Mr. Whitebread nevertheless
charged that the system of formulating and
enforcing rules needs strenuous review—and
reform—if the quality of life in the residence
houses is to improve.

Alarming is the gap between the Housing
Office, on the one hand, and on the other,
those counselors who are persistent, though
discreet, in their refusal to enforce many of
the regulations. Such rules cover most aspects
of dorm life-from parietals to
appliances—and since situations vary sharply
from house to house, strife among members
of the counseling program is another
destructive element at work. No less shocking
is the outright intimidation of maids and
janitors by the Housing Office for failure to
report violations.

The situation is intolerable. Observers in
and around the dorms state that full
enforcement would result in complete chaos.
Espionage and petty intrigue in the absence of
review and positive reform will provide Mr.
Main and his associates with the Pyrrhic
victory their policies deserve.