Boys to Move into Browning

Academy administrators announced plans this week to change Browning Hall from a girls’ to a boys’ dorm because of an unexpected increase in the number of prep boys who applied to the school this year.

The decision was prompted by an enrollment of 104 boarding boy preps and 88 boarding girl preps, according to Director of Admissions Michael Gary. "There are more boys than girls incoming because there were more boy applicants," Gary said. "Our process is to be fair by allocating the number of admission spots by the make-up of the applicant pool; if the applicant pool is made up of 45 percent female applicants, then that’s the number of spots allocated for female applicants."

Gary noted that this switch was not unusual. "This is the third time in 11 years we have had to switch a house due to the shift in enrollment," he said.

Browning’s unique housing space made it the best dorm to facilitate a smooth transition, according to Dean of Residential Life AJ Cosgrove. "Based on the number of boys who needed housing, the best solution was to flip Browning," Cosgrove said. "No other dorm has the same number of beds as Browning, so it was the only solution. This decision allows us to place all new boarding students in a room next fall."

Browning Dorm Head Lundy Smith noted the dorm’s disappointment.

"I’m sorry for the girls in Browning; I think we have a great dorm, but I completely understand what happened with the admissions yield," Smith said.

"It seems to be part of the natural ebb and flow of our school; we have to be able to adapt and meet the needs of our school, depending on whatever the Admissions Office yields."

Smith appreciated Cosgrove’s and Dean of Students Melissa Mischke’s early notice and felt that this year’s transition was easier than his past experiences with dorms switching genders.

"The last time this happened to Browning, it happened over the summer, so the boys who lived in the dorm were just randomly dispersed, and that created some ill feelings," he said. "The nice thing is that this time, the deans told them with plenty of time to find placement in other dorms. I think Dean Mischke and Dean Cosgrove handled this very well."

Current residents of Browning were frustrated and viewed the change as an inconvenience. For many, this was not the first time they have had to switch dorms.

"I understand that it needs to be done to accommodate the overflow of incoming boys next year, but at the same time, I don’t appreciate having to move dorms every year because of it," said upper Olivia Owlett, who lives in Browning.

"I lived in Gould house last year as a new lower, until last summer when I received an email from Cosgrove telling all returning Gould Girls that Gould was becoming a boys’ dorm and we had to move out. Now I am forced to change dorms for the second time in three years."

Upper Kristina Elhauge shared Owlett’s sentiments. "Three dorms in three years is going to be rough for some of us. It’s tough and difficult for us to change dorms that much, because when you are moving into new dorms, you have to intrude on another dorm’s dynamic," she said.

"It’s like being a new kid every year, and you don’t get that lasting dorm bond that people have when they are together for four years in the same dorm."

Upper Lexi Neese was also concerned about the divisions the housing switch will create among Browning’s tight-knit community. "Browning is relatively small, and we are like a family," Neese said. "We love the dorm, and the prospect of having to move somewhere else is sad."

Students were also upset that the move prevented them from becoming proctors in Browning.

"As an upper, I really wanted to be a proctor in Browning next year. I know most of the other Browning uppers did as well, and now none of us even have that chance," Neese said.

Owlett echoed Neese and said, "A new dorm every year is hard on us, not to mention that we are stripped of our right to become a proctor—something which we had all already applied for."

Despite the difficulties that have arisen from this housing switch, the residents of Browning are grateful that the deans gave them advance notice, which helped alleviate some the stresses of moving.

Owlett thought that the extra time put the transition in her own hands. "I appreciate that the deans told us now rather than waiting until the summer, because we now have time to choose a new dorm and have priority to do so over the incoming students and other students wishing to change dorms," said Owlett. "A lot of us are thinking of moving into either Dunbar, Bancroft or McConnell, with a few wanting to go to Amen and Langdell."

Lower Michelle Ysrael also appreciated the deans’ efficiency. "It’s going to be different in a big dorm next year. But we are also thankful they told us now rather than over the summer, because in choosing our new dorms, we have to think of who our new advisors will be, too," she said.

"A couple of my friends and I are moving into Dunbar, which is much larger than Browning. It’ll be a good experience and we’ll meet more people, so there are some up-sides to the flip, I guess."