The Observer, March 7, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 20
Top of the hill in need of improvement
Before the rise of Barbara Snyder and the University Plan, there was Edward Hundert and the Master Plan. For those of you too young to remember, the Master Plan was an extensive endeavor that included major projects in six different areas of the Case Western Reserve University campus. Though elements of it will likely still appear in the University Plan, it was ultimately scrapped when we ran out of money and its chief visionary resigned.
Under the Master Plan, the dorms at the top of the hill – Michelson, Glaser, and Kusch – were going to be demolished. At the time, they had hardly been updated since 1968 and severely needed to be remodeled and repaired. In addition, the Greek houses at the top of the hill were going to be eliminated in favor of a Greek Village on Northside.
The arrival of the class of 2009, which numbered over 1200 students, effectively prevented the dorms from being demolished. It was clear that there would not be enough housing for the growing undergraduate population if Michelson, Glaser, and Kusch were eliminated. Consequently, they were renovated in 2006.
The classes of 2010 and 2011, though smaller than the class of 2009, are larger than what used to be considered "normal" here at Case. If undergraduate enrollment ever dips below 4000 again, it won't be anytime soon. What's more, the remaining budget deficit has bumped the Greek Village lower on the university's priority list. It seems safe to assume that the top of the hill dorms and Greek houses will be necessary for at least a few more years.
A number of improvements need to be made for the top of the hill community to reach its full potential. First on the priority list should be heightened security. Several students' cars have been broken into this semester, which could be easily prevented by surveillance. The security cameras on the elephant stairs and the new emergency phone are a great start, but more steps need to be taken to prevent theft.
In addition, revised Greenie routes should include more regular stops at the top of the hill. Current routes are awkward and ineffective.
Finally, the university should strive to make better use of Carlton Commons. The space is underutilized, and a giant blue sign outside the entrance doesn't do much to change that fact. Renovating the building and promoting its capabilities would help. Top of the hill residents would definitely appreciate somewhere to pick up a sandwich that doesn't involve a trip down the elephant stairs.
The top of the hill and the South Residential Village in general are great places to live – they're close to restaurants, shops, and Dave's Market. Housing officials should promote these advantages and pay more attention to needed improvements.
