Dear Mr. Alexander:

Thank you for your response of February 25 to my earlier letter.

You describe a living environment that sounds like a sensible mix of freshmen and upper class students. I think that is a worthy goal.

It seems that the natural return rate you are experiencing (i.e., the percentage of upper class students who are choosing to return to their old dorms) is coming in at or under the 25% you have set as a target. That's good news, and it raises the question of whether you need to establish a formal cap of 25% at all. If you are getting the result you want without a hard rule, then why impose a rule?

I suggest you consider a delay in implementing the rule. If actual renewals deviate above 25% by significant and sustained numbers, you could impose the rule then. Right now doesn't it seem senisble to wait and monitor the situation?

Respectfully,

Herman C. Quirmbach
State Senator

cc: Heather Reid, Betsy Thompson