Pomona College: Record Number Apply For language halls

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Record Number Apply For Oldenborg Housing
April 7, 2006
by Lana Coryell

Due to an increased number of applications and a new admissions process,
competition for a place in Oldenborg's language halls and special-interest
groups was especially fierce this year. According to the Director of
Oldenborg Patricia Schiaffini, almost 400 applications were given out for
just 150 spots. Last week, the Office of Campus Life informed a select
list of students of their eligibility to participate in the Oldenborg room
draw that was held Thursday. About 180 students were also placed on a
waiting list and did not receive a room draw number.

Special interest groups were more popular than ever before. I believe that
this year we received three times more applications for special interest
groups than last year. This is a record number, wrote Schiaffini in an
e-mail. Rooms in language halls also proved increasingly desirable.
Besides having comfortable rooms, language halls provide a chance to
participate in cultural activities and live near a native-speaking
language resident.  Before finding out that he would be a sponsor,
Jonathan Peterson 09 wanted an Oldenborg room because he would be able to
practice speaking Spanish daily.

I would feel very comfortable speaking with people in a language hall
because they are working at developing their language skills, too, said
Peterson. Waitlisted students do not view Oldenborg with the same
optimism. Several students expressed their frustration with the new
admissions policy that prioritizes students based on the merit of their
essays, faculty recommendations and other elements of their application.
In contrast, last years policy involved a random draw.

Kevin Frick 09 explained that while the basis for eligibility appears
reasonable, The qualifications seem arbitrary. He asserted that it is
difficult to judge a students level of devotion to language-learning from
an application. Schiaffini wrote that these materials were used to
evaluate a students overall enthusiasm and commitment to living in a
language immersion program.

Some advanced-language students found fault with the new policy, too.
Under this new system, intermediate-level students can be admitted in
place of those with a greater proficiency. In response to this situation,
Schiaffini wrote, It would be unfair for us to choose only students who
are fluent in a language just because they are fluent, and leave out of
Oldenborg students with an intermediate level of language who are really
passionate and committed to improving it. The acceptance process for
special-interest groups also disappointed many students. Justin Royal 09
criticized the decision to reject his Italian special-interest group.

I think its absolutely ridiculous that Italian hall didn't pass, he said.
Everybody who applied is taking Italian or will study abroad in Italy.
Some of us are even thinking about creating a special major in Italian.
Royal suggested that those special interest groups with a language focus
should be given preference over those studying a culture or region. The
last time I checked, Oldenborg was a language dorm, he said. Despite its
shortcomings, many believe that this years admissions policy improves upon
last years model. The removal of the random component places greater
emphasis on a dedication and zeal for language learning, qualities
desirable in every Oldenborg resident.

http://www.tsl.pomona.edu/?page=news&article=1518&issue=53