By Jason Hintersteiner
At the beginning of this term, the MacGregor dining hall was closed after the HDS Meal Plan proposal was defeated.  In return, both HouseComm and the MIT Department of Housing and Food Services ("Housing") felt that MacGregor should be "compensated" for the loss of its dining hall with renovations that would benefit the dormitory.  Since this term was loosely defined, it became my job, as chairman of the Student Services Committee, to negotiate the specific renovations that MacGregor will be receiving this summer.  The Student Services Committee is a branch of HouseComm that is in charge of official dealings with Housing.  After months of negotiations, the renovations outlined below were agreed upon.  These renovations will be finished by the end of the summer.
Ovens
Last month, the Student Services Committee circulated a petition around MacGregor to ascertain how many residents wanted ovens to replace the dining hall.  We received a positive response from over 70 percent of MacGregor residents, clearly indicating that residents would like the option of being able to do their own cooking.  Many ideas have been proposed as to the location of these ovens, including proposals ranging from a country kitchen for the entire dormitory to a full kitchen per entry in a suite lounge.  Housing has agreed to install one oven per entry in an existing suite kitchen.  These ovens will not be self-cleaning, so it will be the responsibility of each entry to make sure that their oven is kept clean.  In addition, we are attempting to secure more cupboards, counter space, refrigerators, and room shelving in anticipation of the fact that residents will be preparing and storing more food next year.
Courtyard
Due to years of volleyball games, the grounds of the courtyard are in shambles.  In an effort to rectify this, HouseComm has removed the volleyball net from the courtyard.  Over the summer, grass and shrubbery will be replanted, and benches and picnic tables will be permanently installed.  This renovation is intended to improve the aesthetics of MacGregor.  In addition to this, permanent lighting will be installed in the barbecue pit.
Convenience Store
The convenience store, which opened this year, has been very successful and popular with MacGregor residents.  HouseComm wishes to expand the convenience store so that it can offer more goods.  The convenience store is scheduled to be moved to the present TV lounge by next term.  The TV will be moved into the recreation room as a result.
Magnetic Card Lock System
MacGregor House has been chosen to be a test case for a magnetic card lock system that MIT is interested in implementing across campus.  Such a system has proven to increase safety and security at other universities.  Once the system is installed this summer, all MacGregor residents will be issued new ID cards with a magnetic strip capable of unlocking the doors.  This system will replace "AKM" keys.  The doors that will get the new locks are: the main lobby, the arcade entrances to F, G, H, and J entries, the courtyard door near the weight room, and the two internal TFL doors.  Housing is reluctant to cover the remaining doorways due to the cost of the system, estimated at almost $3000 per doorway.  The doors not covered by the system will have their locks replaced so that they can be opened with room keys.
Bicycle Room
MacGregor has a serious problem with bicycle storage.  Many residents who own bicycles have been forced to leave them in suite or entry lounges, stairwell bases, and so forth.  While there is a bicycle room on the ground floor, it is not large enough.  To alleviate this problem, a sheltered structure containing bicycle racks will be constructed this summer at the back of the courtyard.

I would like to thank Larry Maguire, Ken Wisentaner, John McNeill, and the Housing Office, as well as the members of HouseComm, for their work on this project.  In addition, I would especially like to thank Chad Brooks, Steve Lippard, and Bob Ramsay for their strong support and guidance.  The renovations project would not have been possible without them.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Student Services Committee, or if you have any constructive suggestions for the MacGregor Renovations project, please contact Jason Hintersteiner <jdhinter@mit.edu>.