By Dave Frank
Special to the Collegian

Students may soon be bumping into a few unexpected but welcome guests due to a possible new addition to the college.

The administration is expecting a positive response to the 3,000 surveys they sent to retirees concerning a possible Hillsdale College retirement community and may soon begin planning the project.

They have already received 800 responses.

The surveys, designed and analyzed by Lee Pastelan, a professor at the University of Michigan, asked retirees about interest in the idea of a college retirement community as well as their preferences in size and type of residence, preferred features and amenities and their willingness to pay various ranges of membership fees.

“The surveys will help us form a master plan for the idea,” said Rich Pewe, vice president of administration.

The surveys were sent out Jan. 17 and the results will be available March 10.

Pewe said Pastelan, who has been involved in 300 similar plans, was surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response, which he accredits to the college’s uniqueness.

Though subject to the school’s financial situation, the college plans to build a collection of three or four independent homes.

“Hillsdale is an educational institution; it’s not in the medical care business,” Pewe said. “We have mainly active seniors interested, though this could change as membership changes, so it is possible we could let someone else provide full-care services.”

The surveys were directed to alumni over age 55 in the tri-state area, those who have attended three or more CCAs or hostels, donors and a number of close Hillsdale family and friends.

Pewe said the general draw to such a community for most seniors was being in close contact with individuals with a like-minded view of politics and society.

“You never know what will happen tomorrow, but we are more confident than when we first sent the surveys out,” Pewe said. “We think there’s a real interest here.”

The main reason for declining an invitation was Michigan’s less than tropical climate.

Still, the respondents were generally excited about the idea, Pewe said.

In respect to students, Pewe said he was not considering polling students opinion regarding the community because of students’ favorable attitudes towards such communities on other campuses.

He said the presence of retirees on campus would improve the general experience of students by providing tutoring, enriching conversation and an appreciation for an older generation.

He said that the situation would be so positive as to actually aid in student retention.

“There is definitely some benefit to be accrued through the life experience and intellectual experience of these people,” said Dean of Faculty David Whalen, who was involved with the beginning stages of the idea.

The students’ needs are definitely priority, Pewe said, and while he does not expect it, he is sure they will express any dissatisfaction they have with the situation.

Pewe’s confidence in the success of the community is due to the interest shown before the surveys were sent and the already positive response Pastelan has conveyed.

“We believe we have the ideal situation here,” Pewe said.