University of Virginia Library

Paint

It appears that the Office of Housing has
once again failed to even entertain any
thought about the interests of students living
in University-owned and operated
dormitories. Each year for the past several
years, the Housing Office has arranged to do
some type of dormitory renovation at the
most inappropriate time — that is when
students are living in the buildings.

Several years ago a few of the old
McCormick Road dormitories were painted.
Instead of considering the lives of the
residents of those dormitories, however, the
Housing Office scheduled the painting while
students were in school and not on a break.
One would have hoped that the officials of
Housing had learned through prior mistakes.
But, alas, again this year they have scheduled
the painting and plastering of rooms in the
graduate Monroe Hill dormitories while
students are residing in those dorms. The
scheduling of this renovation has been much
to the dismay of many of the residents of the
dorms and they have begun circulating a
petition requesting a postponement of the
project until they and other residents leave
for spring break.

Mr. Main, of course, has his reasons for
beginning the project at this time. As he has
explained, there would not be enough time
for the workmen to finish the job over a
single vacation period. Mr. Main has also
pointed out that it is more economical if the
painters are employed throughout the year.
To accomplish this saving of University funds,
it is necessary that the workers be placed
aside during the winter months.

In considering these financial cost-cutting
measures, Mr. Main has fulfilled only part of
his duty to the University. The University is
more than a business firm. It has as its
ultimate purpose (or at least should have) the
attainment of knowledge and should,
therefore, be dedicated above all else to the
establishment and maintenance of the best
possible environment that is conducive to
learning.

There is something seriously wrong when
the smooth working of the bureaucracy is
placed above this goal. Surely the painters
could be assigned to paint inside buildings
other than dormitories during the winter.
Then, the work in the dorms could be broken
up over several vacation periods and the
workload could be easily completed while still
not interfering with the rights and lives of
individuals.

Mr. Main has stated continually that he is
sincerely concerned with the students is
individuals. He has shown this concern in his
procedures for room changes where
roommates have proven to be incompatible.
Yet the Housing Office has placed the life of
the individual at a lower premium than the
smooth operation of building maintenance.