University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Periscope Yearbook (Eau Claire, WI)

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Student housing is more than bricks and mortar Douglas Hallatt Education does not end with the close of a professor's lecture. Instead, education extends into all facets of a college student’s life: academic, social, and spiritual, according to Douglas Hallatt. director of housing at UW-Eau Claire. “Housing is more than bricks and mortar, Hallatt said. It's a potential educational environment for the student. Hallatt has a special reason to be more concerned than ever about on-campus living; for the past two years Hallatt has lived in Towers, where his wife. Margaret, is the head resident of Women's Towers. Living here has given me opportunities to know students in all aspects of their life. I see them in a completely different dimension and they see me in a different light. They're more apt to come in and talk to me. he said. As a result, Hallatt is more sensitive to the student's viewpoints. I understand more of the student's needs, problems, and services rendered to them. he said, and that's positive for an administrator. And like students, he and his family also feel the lack of privacy and noise, he said. I listen to them come in from the pub on Thursday nights, from Wt: DounU HalUlt, director of homing; Bob Bmiel, JMOCUte director of housing; Chuck Major. atUiUnt director of housing. and it's helped me pay more attention to the problems. I’ve become more analytical about solving the problems with prevention rather than with restrictions. he said. Prevention means offering alternatives which arc attractive, enjoyable and accessible. Thus, Hallatt's brand of housing philosophy has made UWEC's housing a kind of model for other campuses around the country. Channel 10, cable television directed by students, social rooms in Towers, Oak Ridge and soon Governors, and rollerskating are a few of the alternatives Hallett has developed. The new social rooms, formal dining rooms and kitchens are very popular with residents this year, Hallatt said. The formal dining room is booked seven nights a week, and people come down in dresses and ties. Presently, more men than women book it, and it's nice to see. It's a way to be civilized, take part and have fun, Hallatt said. That feeling of civility is aided by the plush carpeting, modular chrome furniture, and stereo system that Tower's social room houses. On-campus housing is a good experience, but most students have the urge to move off after a couple years of such quarters. The Hallatts are no different. To be honest, I couldn't see living here for a lifetime, but for now the students are fun to be around. It's a stimulating atmosphere. For us, now. it works. 14 Mouung