Undergraduate housing during winter break

We are writing in response to the Nov. 30 editorial entitled “This winter, give students a break.” While the closing paragraphs of the editorial acknowledge efforts being made to assist international undergraduates who need housing over winter break, we believe that the balance of the editorial gives a misleading and undeservedly critical assessment of the University’s concern for and response to the needs of international students.

The ASSU, Student Housing, the Office of the Associate Vice Provost for Residential and Dining Enterprises (R&DE) and other University offices have been working collaboratively for a number of months to identify the needs of international undergraduates during winter break, including surveying international freshmen.

A small number of international undergraduates remain at Stanford over winter break. During past years, these students have usually stayed at Hammarskjold, Chi Theta Chi or with friends in graduate residences. Most have stayed at Stanford for only a few days, spending the majority of the break traveling or visiting friends or relatives. A very small number remain at Stanford for the entire winter break.

To better assist those students who do remain at Stanford, two new housing options will be offered.

First, Student Housing will assign interested international undergraduates to vacant student rooms in the Crothers Halls for winter break. Information regarding this option has been emailed to international undergraduates and is available on the Student Housing Web site at http://studenthousing.stanford.edu.

Second, the Stanford Alumni Association has asked local alumni to host international undergraduates for all or part of winter break. The ASSU will maintain a list of those alumni who volunteer to do so.

We are disappointed that The Daily made no contact with Student Housing or anyone else in R&DE to learn of these new options and other ongoing efforts before writing its editorial. Unfortunately, the editorial perpetuated much of the same misinformation that was in a Nov. 14 article on this subject and in which comments were attributed to Shirley Everett, the Associate Vice Provost for Residential and Dining Enterprises, that she never made. This is especially troubling because Shirley Everett has helped champion the efforts being made to improve winter break services for international students.

We believe that the partnership of the ASSU with Student Housing, R&DE and other University offices has resulted in responsive efforts that will greatly benefit international undergraduates who need to remain at Stanford during the winter interim period.

Elizabeth Heng

President, Associated Students of Stanford University

Shirley Everett

Associate Vice Provost for Residential and Dining Enterprises

Rodger F. Whitney

Executive Director of Student Housing/Chief Housing Officer

Believe in the team

Loyal Sons and Daughters of the Stanford Red,

I am the guy who made the “We Believe” banner and the “I Believe” T-shirts. I still believe in Stanford Football. We may not have brought the Axe back this year, but I am still proud to call the team my team. Against all odds those guys put up a serious fight to the last minute of the game.

Something happened there Saturday, on the field and in the stands,that was very special. People just started giving a damn, and that is what it is all about. The boys on the field buried any expectations and played an amazing game. The students in the stands cheered, not for a some nationally marketed championship team, but for our team, our school and our friends.

I believe in Stanford Football because it’s my team and I know you do too.

When we win next year, it will be all the more sweet because of the times we remained loyal when things were not so great.

Make sure to get your 6th Man membership. Go Stanford Basketball!

Forever and Forever Stanford Red!

Dominic Bea

Junior, History