Having Patience for Maintenance

Like too many Alderman residents, I wake up not to the sound of a
buzzer or alarm clock but to metal being cut, people yelling, and the
general sounds of construction. From my room I have a lovely view of
dorms better than my own being built for the lucky incoming first
years of 2011. We, the class of 2014, came to UVA during this
transition period, between the old and the new. Coupled with all the
construction comes general maintenance days like this Saturday. All of
our hot water was cut off, meaning very cold showers and paper plates
and utensils in the dining halls. This led to subpar meals to say the
least. Though loud construction noises are limited to the hours of
8-6, construction is planning to work for the next two weekends as
well, leading to no days for us to sleep in. With many of our dorms
being torn down next year, many students are making the most of being
the last residents by signing walls or painting huge UVA logos. The
class of 2014 is special in its own way: we will be some of the last
residents to complain about not having air conditioning and at the
very least, will be able to distinguish the old from the new after
Phase II is completed.