The Elm Student Newspaper
Writing Center moves to Goldstein, Foster House used for student rooms
Hannah Nguyen
The Foster House served as the Writing
Center last year but houses four exchange
students this year.
Photograph by Ryan Murray, Elm photographer.
When Goldstein was built during the summer, the Writing Center moved into its new home there, room 106. The building that the Writing Center previously occupied, the Foster House, is now being used to house this year's influx of students and the Office of International Students and Programs.
This house originally belonged to the Ermon Foster family. Foster was a long-time registrar at Washington College. Shortly after he retired, the college bought his house and turned it into offices for academic resources.
Currently, the first floor of the Foster House is the Office of International Students and Programs. This is the first year the college has had a single office for WC students intending to study abroad as well as international students attending WC.
The center has a new director, Leah Newell, and two peer counselors to international students: Emilie Cadin and Sadia Hameed. This is the place to go for questions concerning international students and study-abroad programs.
The second floor serves as home for four exchange students. Joanna Kumpula, a student from Finland, explained they were chosen "because we are older and international." Even though the house is a little isolated from the rest of the main campus, and it has certain disadvantage-such as no computers, no laundry room, no television, no basement to hang out-they are nevertheless content living there.
"Right now, I'm happy there. I don't mind not having those things," said Annette Bangert, from Germany, and Kumpula agreed. "It's perfect, totally! It's quiet, and we all have single rooms."
Considering that most of the students will only be staying one semester to a year, many people have wondered what the building will be used for after that.
"I cannot answer the questions about the long range plans for the building, but right now we are using it for international programs office and as housing space for international students," said Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs Maureen McIntire. "Unless the college's needs change, we will continue to use the building in that manner. It is our plan to house incoming international students in that building next semester in the place of those students who are here only for a semester."
Due to the increased number of students this year, there was not enough traditional housing available for 62 students including freshmen and transfers.
These students have had to live in places such as basements, lounges, and the Foster House. They will be there until at least the end of October, when the first of the new dormitory buildings is scheduled to be completed. Once all the new buildings are completed, 64 students will be able to move in.Therefore, those who are currently living in the basements and lounges of some dorms will have their own residence halls. And while they'll be all excited about settling down in their new homes, all the other students will be glad to get their lounges back. And hopefully, the students who live in Foster House now and in the future will make it their second home.
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