president's statement

Exploration and choice are two fundamental principles upon which MIT had been built, in terms of both academics and student life. Before classes even start, new students are given the right to explore and choose a living group that is best for them. When choosing classes, freshman are given the chance to explore and take risks that they may not have taken if it were not for for Pass-No Record. This continues throughout the academic careers of undergraduates, through the exploratory and P/D/F options. We are able to choose from hundreds of varied student activities and are empowered to create their own. Thus the strength of MIT's community cannot be attributed to the vision of one, but to the collective creative power of many individuals.

Throughout MIT's rich history, initiatives that have not embraced the core values of exploration and choice have met with strong resistance from students. And as long as MIT students are smart, creative, and passionate lifelong learners, we will always hold fast to our desire to be involved in the development of new programs. We're scientists and engineers-- we understand that change and progress are important not only in global society but also MIT's microcosm. However, we're not interested in being coddled and protected. We need to be given room to grow up to be leaders, which will never happen if we are not given the freedom to explore, make our own choices, and inevitably, make mistakes. DormCon is not here to make choices for the residence halls. We are instead here to offer our support to the many varied communities found within the residence halls.

In the upcoming academic year, Dormcon will continue be involved in various projects, including organizing REX, assessing the RBA program, working to improve students' satisfaction with Dining, and being involved in Risk Management and Safety within the dormitories. We will continue to strengthen our already strong relationships with the Dean of Student Life, the CDSA, Housing, Residential Life, EHS, the Office of Student Mediation and Community Standards, and others. While working on all of these programs with all of these offices, we will strive to integrate the values and traditions of the students as well as the larger goals of the Institute. Ultimately, however, we will always defend the independence and autonomy of student body that is so highly valued.

Sincerely,

Sarah Hopp

Dormcon President, 2007-2008