Only chirping birds disrupted the complete silence that reigned over Hereford College on a sunny morning while sleepy students hurried to class.
Sitting on the slopes of Observatory Hill, Hereford College—comprising Johnson, Norris and Whyburn houses—is different from other UVA dormitories. It’s a residential community, farther from Grounds than most, that offers students a resident-only governing senate and a calendar brimming with extracurricular events.
But student life at Hereford will soon change. UVA officials have recently alerted students that starting in fall 2010, the residential college will house first-year students exclusively. The conversion will be phased in between fall 2009 and fall 2010.
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Hereford upperclassmen will have to find a new home by fall 2010. The University says the decision won’t strain off-campus housing stock. |
According to a letter sent to students, the decision to reclassify Hereford residences was a direct consequence of the expected growth of future freshman classes and the dormitory replacement project on Observatory Hill.
“We recognize the potential inconvenience this decision may cause residents of Hereford who had intended to re-sign for space in the College, and are committed to minimizing disruption of those wishing to remain part of the college experience, or, those seeking other on-Grounds accommodation for the coming year,” reads the letter.
Current upper-class Hereford students who would like to re-up to live in the College may do so for the 2009-2010 academic year. Incoming first-years will be placed in whatever rooms are not occupied by current residents.
First-year Elaine Randolph, resident of Malone, doubts the conversion will benefit new students. “Personally, I really don’t like living so far away from Grounds,” she says. “And I don’t know that incoming first-years will like it either.”
For some, however, the lack of student involvement in the decision-making process was the biggest problem.
“It’s poor planning by the University that led to this,” says freshman David Liao. The decision, he says, “limits the options of upper-class housing.” Although Liao is aware of Hereford’s reputation as one of the quietest and most remote dorms, he says that tranquility “grows on you.” “It’s such a close-knit community, and that’s the cool part,” he says.
But not everyone opposes the idea of limiting Hereford to first-years. “All the upper-classmen who live here don’t want to socialize with younger students,” says freshman Blaine Eichner. “It would be easier for first-years to meet.”
But Eichner says he understands the decision will displace a lot of students who want to remain in the community. He, however, has decided to move off-Grounds. “I like the freedom of not having RAs,” he says.
Carol Wood, UVA spokesperson, said via e-mail that the University doesn’t foresee any problems with students relocating off-Grounds.
“There should not be any capacity impact on either on-grounds or off-grounds housing,” she writes. “We have the capacity within the current University housing system to accommodate all the students who want to live on-grounds.”
Those who will take advantage of one of these options will have until December 1 to submit an application.
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