The Story
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the opinion piece by Mara Thacker
entitled, “Sophomores get the Shaft.” While the writer is
entitled to her opinion, I feel that the tone of her piece was
deeply offensive to myself and perhaps also the majority of
the campus community. Furthermore, many of the “facts” that
she sets forth about the Dillard Complex are simply untrue. I
believe that your publication has a duty to rectify this
situation.
Ms. Thacker begins her attack by arguing that Dillard looks
like a mental institution and that such a structure is
appropriate because all William and Mary students are
“depressed, type-A personality, sadists.” While the aesthetic
qualities of the architecture are debatable, Ms. Thacker’s
broad categorization of her fellow students is unfounded and
her use of the terms “loony bin” and “nut house” represents
nothing more than inflammatory language intended to draw
attention away from the fact that her argument is irrational
and has no logical basis.
Secondly, Ms. Thacker expresses the opinion that she should
not have to live at Dillard because she has friends, and thus,
could not possibly be expected to live with the
antisocial individuals whom she believes populate Dillard.
Having spent my sophomore year at Dillard, I must contest her
claim. In my experience, nothing could be further from the
truth. Residents at Dillard are remarkably similar to
residents who live in traditional on-campus housing and at no
time would I have categorized my fellow hallmates as
“antisocial.” My hallmates and I managed to maintain on-campus
friendships while living at Dillard and were able to use the
bus system (now much improved) to attend class and campus
events with no problem. Life at Dillard without a car is not
the most convenient situation, as I can personally attest, but
neither is it the end of the world.
Also, Ms. Thacker should note that the windows at Dillard are not barred, as she states in her piece. Yes, the basement windows have grates, but many on campus buildings also have safety grates on basement and first floor rooms. Perhaps Ms. Thacker would do well to visit Dillard and have a look around, talk to some residents, and
get her facts straight.
Ms. Thacker is entitled to be angry about the housing process
and express her opinion on its fairness. In the future, however,
she should consider directing her anger at the appropriate
administrative offices, rather than making unfounded,
offensive and inflammatory remarks about the residents of
Dillard and her fellow William and Mary students as a whole.
Sincerely,
Jill Liszkiewicz
Class of 2004