Subject: Upcoming Elections, Housing Price Proposal Update, and Resources

From: "Mitali Chowdhury" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2023 03:16:47 +0000

tl;dr:

  *   Come to Random Hall next Thursday, November 30 at 7:30PM to run for DormCon exec positions<http://dormcon.mit.edu/about/elections>

  *   Be on the lookout for more information about the HRS proposal<https://web-cert.mit.edu/dormcon/cert_minutes/2023-10-26.pdf> to change the housing price structure in an FAQ soon

  *   If you are struggling for any reason, don’t hesitate to reach out to your house team<https://mitguidetoresidences.mit.edu/teams>, S<https://studentlife.mit.edu/s3>3<https://studentlife.mit.edu/s3>, or other resources<http://doingwell.mit.edu>, and fill out this form<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpM3dQe47z7UXyaz5JwxCTQroLol-rq_iTrQInORYSWD914A/viewform> to give feedback on support at MIT right now

  *   Reach out to [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]> if you have concerns or questions!

Hello again, dorm residents! 🦈

We hope you’re hanging in there for the end of the semester - and if you need some support to get through, see the resources we’ve linked below! As we head into the long weekend and the last few weeks of the term, we wanted to send you some updates, resources, and an opportunity to join us by running for a DormCon exec position!

DormCon Elections

Do you want to join a fun and chill student government?

Want to make a difference in MIT student life?

Interested in leading efforts to introduce the class of 2028 to the MIT community?

Then you should run for a 🦈DormCon🦈 Exec position at the Dormcon GBM next Thursday, November 30 from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm at Random Hall!

The open positions at this election are Housing Chair, Underclassmen Representative, CPW/REX Chair, and i3 chair. We highly encourage first-years and sophomores to run for the year-long roles, and welcome any dorm affiliates to join us! We have descriptions of each position’s responsibilities below, with more details here<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ju33s2RrvM9_Ri66-frxgyejJ9zwUNbc0sLkC1M6svE/edit?usp=sharing>. In addition to these specific responsibilities, you will be a member of DormCon exec and be able to provide input on student life issues and policies in general. Fill out this form<https://forms.gle/GT7WejfGKwryBwEPA> if you’re interested in running for a position!

If you are unable to make it to the meeting, you can email us<mailto:[email-masked]> the name of a proxy who will represent you. Your proxy should be able to speak to your platform and interest in the position, briefly explain your workload over the spring semester and summer, and confirm your availability for weekly Thursday night meetings.

Housing Chairs

The DormCon Housing Chair is responsible for all things housing and is the interface between DormCon and Housing and Residential Services. You will advocate for students on long term initiatives, help HRS handle issues that come up, advise on housing timelines, review communications HRS sends out, and more!

One chair is being elected, and the term runs until the end of spring semester. Some experience in dorm government or other work with admin is preferred. Contact [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]> with any questions.

CPW/REX Chairs

The DormCon CPW/REX chairs oversee all of the dormitories' events during two of the best times of the year. They work closely with Admissions in creating the CPW booklet and communicate with dorm CPW chairs to ensure a great CPW. They are also responsible for coordinating REX (Residential EXploration) and publishing the REX booklet by working with all of the dorms. This is a great opportunity to have a say in the way that MIT welcomes first-years!

Two chairs are elected, and the term runs until the end of next fall semester. Contact [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]> with any questions.

i3 Chair

The DormCon i3 chair is the student point person for making the i3 project happen! The i3 (Interactive Introduction to the Institute) serves to introduce the incoming first-years to the various wonderful dorms and dorm cultures at MIT through videos showcasing dorms and their culture. The i3 Chair helps coordinate the process of creating and distributing the i3s by coordinating between administrators and the dorm i3 chairs.

One chair is elected, and the term runs until the end of next fall semester. Contact [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]> with any questions.

Underclassmen Representative

The DormCon Underclassmen Representatives serve as ambassadors paying special attention to the interests of first and second years living in dorms. In addition, the role is flexible to allow the representatives to participate in various projects and initiatives as they feel the need. Being an Underclassmen Rep is a great way to get involved with DormCon in a broader capacity and bring your perspective to a wide variety of issues! It is also a great way to get started in dorm student government and gain experience.

Only a current first-year student (class of 2027) can run for this position. One representative is elected, and the term runs until the end of next fall semester. Contact [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]> with any questions.

Come to the DormCon GBM on 11/30 if you want to run for any of these positions!

Housing Price Proposal Update

A few weeks ago, DormCon invited administrators from Housing and Residential Services to discuss an idea currently being explored: changing the pricing structure for undergraduate housing in order to decrease the impact of cost on students’ choice of dorm. HRS is considering eliminating the price differences between room types and dorm tiers by moving to one price for all rooms in undergraduate housing. For those who were not able to make it, meeting minutes are available here<https://web-cert.mit.edu/dormcon/cert_minutes/2023-10-26.pdf> (you will need certificates to access the document). Be on the lookout for an FAQ sheet addressing the main questions dorm residents brought up at this meeting! In addition, if you have more thoughts or suggestions you can feel free to email us at [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>.

Resources

We know that this is a particularly difficult point in the semester, so we wanted to highlight some resources that are here to help you!

  *   Personal: Remember that your house team<https://mitguidetoresidences.mit.edu/teams>, including Heads of House, Area Directors, and GRAs, are available to provide support or help direct you to resources if you are going through a tough time. Additionally, you can reach out to MIT Medical for mental health support<https://medical.mit.edu/services/mental-health-counseling>, contact a chaplain for religious, spiritual, or ethical support<https://studentlife.mit.edu/orsel/who-we-are>, and find more resources for self-care at doingwell.mit.edu<https://doingwell.mit.edu/>.

  *   Academic: If you are facing challenges that are impacting your academic performance, you should reach out to Student Support Services<https://studentlife.mit.edu/s3>.

  *   Food: The IAP Meal Plan is now available for purchase, and information about support programs for winter break and IAP should be available soon. If you are struggling to access food, you should reach out to Student Support Services<https://studentlife.mit.edu/s3>. At the bottom of this email, we have also linked our list of food-related resources.

  *   Feedback: If you have comments or concerns about the support you are receiving at various channels at MIT, we’d like to hear about it! Fill out this anonymous form<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpM3dQe47z7UXyaz5JwxCTQroLol-rq_iTrQInORYSWD914A/viewform>, and let us know how you are feeling most supported right now and what could be better.

Final Reminders

We want to help make sure that your dorm experience is the best that it can be. As always, you can reach out to us at [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]> or on Piazza<http://piazza.com/mit/fall2021/dormcon> if you have any questions, concerns, or comments. You can also attend our General Body Meetings<https://dormcon.mit.edu/about/meetings> every other Thursday at 7:30-9:00 PM, where you can also get free dorm gossip and dinner!

With love from DormCon,

Mitali Chowdhury 🦈

President

Rebecca Lizarde 🦈

Vice President

Food and Dining Resources (you can also find most of these at https://linktr.ee/foodatmit)

  *   Email us at [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>!

  *   Fill out feedback for dining halls and restaurants on campus at http://bit.ly/dining23.

  *   If you have dietary restrictions or allergies and want help navigating the meal plan, you can reach out to Bon Appetit’s onsite dietitian<mailto:[email-masked]>.

  *   For general questions concerning food and dining, you can reach out to MIT Dining administration at [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>.

  *   General List of Food + Financial Resources @ MIT<https://doingwell.mit.edu/foodandfinancial/> to ensure no student goes hungry due to lack of money or resources, and that students feel comfortable asking for help<https://doingwell.mit.edu/support-3/> when they need it.

  *   MIT Food & Grocery Map<https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=42.35466204810238%2C-71.0921191231349&z=14&utm_source=Publicate&utm_medium=email&utm_content=mit-food-amp-grocery-map-google-my-maps&utm_campaign=%5BDRAFT%5D%20FSAT%20Newsletter&mid=1i0YNzpQzO2Zou13n9ZahvjL1L7feLFA5>: Shows locations to find food on and around campus, including dining halls, grocery stores, and restaurants. We have also compiled some stores relevant to specific cultural groups here<http://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1xiTN5I9JYbA6Wae06DqKC6IqOwTOjwE&ll=42.3483113461518%2C-71.12674994999999&z=11>.

  *   MIT Grocery Store Shuttles<https://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/shuttles/grocery.html>: Free shuttles to Costco, Target, Daily Table, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s.

  *   Swipeshare Information + Form<https://studentlife.mit.edu/s3/money-food-resources/food-resources>: A program for meal plan users to donate unused meal swipes<https://mycard.mit.edu/student/local_donate.php>. If you are having trouble accessing food for any reason, you can request swipes here<https://mycard.mit.edu/student/local_donation_retrieve.php>! If a lack of resources is affecting your ability to get enough food, please email Student Support Services<https://studentlife.mit.edu/s3>.

  *   W20 (Student Center) Food Locations<https://studentlife.mit.edu/dining/dining-locations>: Check out these restaurants in the Stud, located on the first and second floors! The LaunchPad, on the second floor, is by non-profit food business incubator CommonWealth Kitchen.

  *   BibimBox<https://studentlife.mit.edu/dining/dining-locations/bibimbox>

  *   Carolicious<https://studentlife.mit.edu/dining/dining-locations/carolicious>

  *   Dunkin'<https://studentlife.mit.edu/dining/dining-locations/dunkin>

  *   Tawakal Halal Café<https://studentlife.mit.edu/dining/dining-locations/tawakal-halal-caf%C3%A9>

  *   TeaDo<https://studentlife.mit.edu/teado>

  *   Food trucks<https://studentlife.mit.edu/food-trucks>: Every Wednesday, there is a rotation of food trucks in the outfinite.

  *   Daily Table<https://dailytable.org/>: A low cost grocery store in Central Square that accepts SNAP/EBT.  Use the code 0923MIT12  with a $20 minimum online purchase at Daily Table and receive free delivery to your on-campus location. Valid from 9/1/23 to 12/31/23 for online orders only, it cannot be used in-store.

  *   Undergraduate Emergency Support Fund Request Form<https://studentlife.mit.edu/webforms/undergraduate-emergency-support-fund-request-form>: Request funds to obtain enough food for regular meals and cover “unforeseen, essential expenses.”

  *   Apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps)<https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-snap-benefits-food-stamps>: Application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

  *   Too Good To Go<https://toogoodtogo.com/en-us/consumer>: An app created to provide reduced cost food from restaurants and grocery stores while preventing food waste.