Dennis S Ruhl <dsruhl@mit.edu> Imagine you are the parent of a prospective MIT freshman. What will you look for that will convince you that MIT will provide your child with comprehensive preparation for the world of work and life. To paraphrase Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, "If you give a man a decision, he will have a good decision. If you teach him to make a decision, he will have good decisions all his life." Our life is a thread chosen by the decisions we make; thus, the proper function of an educational instution is to teach students to make their own decisions. The ability to make decisions well will serve anybody, whatever their path, throughout their whole life. Thus, what I would want in a school for my child is an instution which has a stated commitment to empowering and aiding students in learning to make good decisions to improve their lives. Spoon-feeding students decisions, regardless of their quality, is simply not a viable alternative. Capstone: The leaders of the faculty, students, and administration should have decision-making power to the extent that members of the three groups reside within the residential system. This is the only way to ensure that the needs and wants of the members of the residential community are addressed.