RIT on TV News: Dorm Challenge

13WHAM-TV speaks with RIT President Bill Destler and "roommate" Oswaldo Urritia about the Real RIT Dorm Challenge.
Anchor: We talked about the dorm challenge earlier. I had never heard about this on a campus before, but its happening at RIT right now. RIT President Bill Destler and his roommate Ozzy Urritia, good morning to you both.
President Destler: Good morning, how are you?
Anchor: Im fine, thank you, and I hear that Ozzy is your roommate. Hows it going there and how long have you been roommates so far Mr. President?
Destler: Weve been roommate for, what, about 12 hours now or something like that?
Ozzy: Something like that.
Destler: But weve been sleeping for about four of those.
Anchor: So what has your day consisted of so far, just going in for breakfast?
Destler: No, well today yes. I had breakfast with a few students who had 8 oclock class. Its kind of quiet around here now. But last night, we came in about 3 in the afternoon, moved into the dorms, hung out with the students all night, partied a little bit, and then we watched them study for a long time
Anchor: No! You partied a little bit?
Destler: Just a little bit. (laughter)
Anchor: Im curious to know, what is the most surprising part of your student experience so far.
Destler: Well, first of all, theyre operating on a different clock than we are. They started studying about 10 oclock after having a certain amount of fun, seemed to study until about 2 or 3 in the morning, and then go to sleep. That seems to be not on my current time cycle. (laughter)
Anchor: I remember when I was in college never going to bed before 2, maybe around 4, and that was normal for me. Do you think you could get used to if you had to?
Destler: I probably could adjust, Im not sure. I will say that its very impressive to see these students studying at 10 oclock on a Sunday night.
Anchor: Ozzy, Im curious to know from you too, what are you hoping that President Destler learns from this experience, from his time with you?
Ozzy: I think that just to see how we live and our classes, just see how chaotic our schedules can be.
Anchor: Yeah, Ozzy, Ive got to ask you, a lot of people are going to assume that you have to act differently when the presidents around. Hes praising you for studying on a Sunday night at 10. I hope thats a normal schedule.
Ozzy: Well, our professors dont really cut us some slack, so I have to do that otherwise we get yelled at. (laughter)
Anchor: It is pretty neat though. I imagine you think its pretty cool that not just the president but other administrators too are doing this, theyre rooming with you all to see what student life is really like and hopefully learning from it along the way.
Ozzy: Yeah, Im also learning a lot because I imagined that President Destler is very serious, and he has a sense of humor. (laughter)
Anchor: And President Destler, before we let you go, how would you describe your mission? I think we understand, but what are you getting out of it so far, and how would you describe it overall?
Destler: I think its a wonderful opportunity to sample the student experience, to learn a bit and, frankly, to find a few things theyre looking to improve. The students claim that the food here has been better since we arrived. Im not sure I believe that, but its fairly interesting to see what may come out of this in terms of ideas in which the student experience can be improved here at RIT.
Anchor: And how many faculty and administrators are involved in this and how long is the commitment?
Destler: Three days and I think theres about 23 administrators and faculty involved.
Anchor: Well we hope you get some rest eventually, not too much partying there okay?
Destler: All right, Ill do my best.
Anchor: Thank you to President Destler and to Ozzy as well.

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Education

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• RIT