Fall 1998, versions v0.01 - v0.39

Preliminary test results in Fall 1998 were convincing enough to take our solution to Housing Management:

• An overall grade improvement of approximately 67% appeared achievable, with almost 50% more students receiving a perfect score;
• Roommate requests across adjoining suites were supported;
• Preferences and roommate requests of returning students staying in their same room were considered;
• Reduced running time -- running in hours rather than days;
• Without weekend restrictions, the Housing staff was not prohibited from using the HMS system;
• With an understandable way to adjust the grading function, hall preferences could be made more important than roommate requests, and age differences could be minimized.

The final data run through the same objective function as all our subsequent tests, ended with a global score of 199,091,532 with 438 perfect grades, and 81.4% satisfaction. This was based on multiple weekly iterations, new and returning students in separate initial runs, manual roommate corrections for returning students, and blocked halls and desireable rooms to stage placements. With a score almost three times that of our test results, room for improvement was apparent.

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