<p>It is interesting that at the university where I am a current faculty member, and which has all of Cue’s desired features (except the house system) in spades, the administration is putting in place some changes to create a shared academic experience for students: a (small) core. In my opinion, the shared academic experience is a unique strength of UChicago.</p>
<p>From what I have seen, the house system at UChicago, along with the shared experience of O-week, etc., does a great job of helping first year students get acclimated to the campus, both socially and academically. When they get to the second year, they pay it forward. Then they move out to make room for others. This isn’t as good as Harvard or Yale’s house system where everyone stays in for four years, but it still is a positive aspect of student life. Given a constant number of beds, I don’t particularly see how making the houses bigger would improve the situation significantly. And what does " houses operate like tribes" mean anyway, and so what?" </p>
<p>Cue7 argues that there need to be more non-academic groups like sports teams and frats. While these things may be fun and valuable for the individuals who participate in them, they do NOT contribute a collective experience, they take away from it–people involved in these activities just don’t have enough time for mingling and intermixing with other students. And why isn’t going into Chicago on the weekend a “collective experience” just as valid as spending time in a bar near campus? And what is wrong with STUDENTS hanging out in the library?</p>
<p>But I think the notion that a “collective experience” or “unifying theme” is so important is mistaken. What is more important is that individual students find a niche that nourishes them and helps them grow. It doesn’t, and can’t possibly mean that everyone has the same experience. And, of course, students, do need to take some responsibility for their own social lives. </p>
<p>Perhaps what is really meant by “sense of collective identity” is just old fashioned “school spirit”. If that is the case, I’ll point out that complaining about lack of school spirit rarely helps increase it.</p>
<p>p.s. Cue7–just because you can find two people with different opinions about a thing, doesn’t make it “polarizing”. </p>