"You need discussion," Sheats says. "Ifstudents aren't saying anything, it could be thatthey're not terribly unsatisfied. They'resurviving. I'm saying they could maybe thriveunder a different system. We won't know that if wewait."
And while the timing of the survey is onequestion that needs to be determined, the type ofquestions that will be asked is yet anotherunaddressed dilemma.
Epps says a House-wide survey would askstudents whether they feel randomization hasachieved integration of different communities ofthe College within the Houses. Sheats says anysurvey should ask students whether there is a needfor "supportive communities of color" within theHouses.
"Here's the question that should be asked:Before randomization, you had small communities ofcolor in the Quad and Quincy House," Sheats says."What was the effect of randomization of on thesecommunities? Has there been an effect? Was it fairto break up these communities?"
But until the survey moves from the drawingboard to implementation, a review of randomizationremains in limbo.
And no University Hall administratorinterviewed by The Crimson had any idea when thatwould happen.
Something to Talk About
In the meantime, tutors and administratorsalike insist that no change in the system can takeplace without the active support of students.
Thompson explains that she and the other tutorswho signed the randomization critique felt theywere speaking for students, but that "it wasdifficult to argue persuasively without hardevidence or undergraduate input."
"We think there needs to be discussion. Wediscussed our feelings, and now it is time for thestudents," Sheats says. "I would hope it didn'tdie, because students feel nothing will change andthat's why they don't speak out."
And the Houses, members of the tutorial staffsay, are willing to listen.
"It has to be student-initiated," says GeneMcAfee, the senior tutor in Lowell House. "I don'thear a whole lot of unrest. It may be there, butwe have no access to it unless it becomes moreovert."
After all, Sheats says, ultimately he and theother tutors can only speak for themselves.
"I have faith that students will come up with asystem that includes all segments of thepopulation, [one which] everyone finds appealing,"Sheats says. "Maybe I'm being naive, but I thinkit could happen."