Cover letter from Arthur C. Smith

Arthur C. Smith
Dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs
Room 7-133, 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 253-6776

From: Arthur C. Smith
Re: Report of the Strategic Housing Planning Committee
Date: January 9, 1995

I am writing to describe the context in which I hope you will consider the report of the Strategic Housing Planning Committee which is attached. You should be aware that the only decision that has been taken thus far is to move ahead with the engineering analysis of those needs of Senior House that are independent of use or ultimate configuration (e.g. heating, air conditioning, electric service, fire alarms, etc.).

The report and its recommendations are one part of the input that will go into a decision about the next steps in improving student housing at MIT. I urge that you read it carefully and completely. It contains the results of extensive work by the committee and gives useful information as well as the committee's recommendations.

Another vital part of the input required before a decision is made will be the ideas and needs of students. There will be a variety of opportunities for students to affect the decision process.

• I expect to meet with both undergraduate and graduate students for the purpose of exchanging information and views.
• Meetings with the Strategic Housing Planning Committee may be arranged as well.
• Written responses to the report from student groups or individuals will be another way to affect the process. Such responses can be addressed to me in 7-133 or sent to acsmith@mit.edu and I will share them with those who have the responsibility for making the final decisions about housing, i.e. the President, Provost and Senior Vice President.
• The Corporation Visiting Committee on Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs will meet in mid-February and will constitute an important forum where student opinion and concern will be heard.

Many students have expressed their concern about the decision making process and their desire to take part. The month of January and the first part of February will be a time to do that. By working together on this issue, I believe that we can achieve substantial improvements in the living environment for students and set a pattern for future progress.

• SHPC home page
• articles about the SHPC in The Tech
• archive of electronic mail messages on various mailing lists regarding the work of the SHPC
• members of the SHPC