Council Approves `Enhanced' Choice

The Undergraduate Council last night approved an "Enhanced Choice" resolution that would give 25 percent of rising sophomores their first choice in next spring's housing lottery.

Under the enhanced choice system, students would select four houses in which they wanted to live, designating one as their first choice. The 75 percent of students not receiving their first choice would either be placed in one of their other three selections or be randomized.

David L. Hanselman '94, the member of the council's Residential Committee who introduced the proposal, said the resolution would increase student choice in the lottery while ensuring house diversity.

"It is a very incremental change from what we have now and could be implementedthis year," Hanselman said.

Hanselman and Jennifer W. Grove '94, who helpedintroduce the proposal, said the resolution was acompromise between the current system and theolder, ordered choice system.

Council members said they will file a report onthe resolution with the Committee on House Life.The final decision will be made by Dean of theCollege L. Fred Jewett '57, a supporter ofrandomization who has said he can "live with" thecurrent nonordered choice system.

Last night, council members also listened to apresentation by Associate Dean for PhysicalResources Philip J. Parsons on plans for therenovation of Memorial Hall into a student centerand first-year dining hall.

Parsons said he wants more student input on theproject.

"It will only work well if it does indeedreflect your hopes [and] ideas," Parsons said.

The Undergraduate Council also passed twoothers resolutions last night. Council membersvoted to increase the fund for fall grants forstudent organizations by $5,000.

The Council also voted to organize a Februarycomedy night with a budget of $1,500. Admissionwill be free for Harvard students and $5 for thegeneral public

Hanselman and Jennifer W. Grove '94, who helpedintroduce the proposal, said the resolution was acompromise between the current system and theolder, ordered choice system.

Council members said they will file a report onthe resolution with the Committee on House Life.The final decision will be made by Dean of theCollege L. Fred Jewett '57, a supporter ofrandomization who has said he can "live with" thecurrent nonordered choice system.

Last night, council members also listened to apresentation by Associate Dean for PhysicalResources Philip J. Parsons on plans for therenovation of Memorial Hall into a student centerand first-year dining hall.

Parsons said he wants more student input on theproject.

"It will only work well if it does indeedreflect your hopes [and] ideas," Parsons said.

The Undergraduate Council also passed twoothers resolutions last night. Council membersvoted to increase the fund for fall grants forstudent organizations by $5,000.

The Council also voted to organize a Februarycomedy night with a budget of $1,500. Admissionwill be free for Harvard students and $5 for thegeneral public