Pusey Says He Will Reconsider Uniform 'Room Rents for Houses

President Pusey said Wednesday that he is willing to consider proposals by the Masters that the College institute a system of uniform room rents in the Houses.

There was almost unanimous agreement among the Masters at a meeting held by the visiting committee of the Board of Overseers to study the Tenth House early in the week that the same price should be charged for every room in the College after the Tenth House is built.

Three years ago Pusey bowed to considerable pressure to institute standardized room rents in all freshman dormitories, but he insisted that a three year moratorium be declared on discussion about extending uniform rates to the Houses.

Pusey said Wednesday that he has opposed standardized room rents "because there is a really serious discrepancy among the rooms in the Houses."

Pusey admitted, however, that "there is a strong case for standardized room rents," and noted that such a situation would be more democratic. He confirmed that he is willing to hear the arguments for standardized rents again, and then reevaluate his decision.

Each Master has a limited amount of money available in a "rent adjustment" fund, for students who are financially unable to pay the total costs of their rooms. But Pusey indicated that such funds are very limited, and said that under a standardized room rent system virtually all students would have to pay the total cost of the room.