Balch Hall questions - Page 7

x3xkimiex3x · 04-21-2009, 06:09 PM

online you could put single for all 4 slots lol. DOnt know if that would be guarentee but then im pretty sure they get the idea that you just want a single?

countryangel926 · 04-21-2009, 07:59 PM

I thought about doing that lol, but then I got a little worried...if they really did run out of singles, I'd much rather be in a double than in a triple or quad!

LightBright · 04-21-2009, 09:04 PM

That's exactly how I thought.

So I put three single slots and one double slot LOLOL.

countryangel926 · 04-21-2009, 09:27 PM

hahaha that's smart! I might do that xDD

x3xkimiex3x · 04-21-2009, 11:38 PM

i did 3 double slots, and a single slot=D.

suziechapstik · 04-22-2009, 05:50 PM

How warm are the rooms inside Balch in the winter?

I think I read somewhere about bringing a fan for those couple weeks when it is still hot. But what about when it is cold outside. Do they have good heat for the rooms, or should I plan to get a really warm comforter? I notice the windows look pretty old and drafty.

CUAmbassador11 · 04-23-2009, 12:34 AM

really really warm. you will want to bring a fan because there is no air conditioning (most of the dorms only have a heating system). as far as a comforter, definitely get one! i love being warm in the winter so i sleep with 3 comforters. Over the last couple of years, the windows in balch have been replaced, so you have nothing to worry about when it comes to drafts. and if you are still concerned about warmth, buy a space heater

countryangel926 · 04-24-2009, 08:49 PM

I created a Facebook group for girls interested in Balch next year so we can get to know each other before move-in day

Login | Facebook

NJBkitty · 04-28-2009, 11:53 PM

I wasn't even really considering Balch but now that I'm looking at all these posts it sounds like a pretty great place... What is the liklihood of getting a "small" room in there?

And would you say that Balch is more tight-knit than other dorms? Like I know Dickinson is huge and I don't want to be in a place so large it becomes almost impersonal... do you think Dickinson is kind of too big? And how would you compare the other dorms to Balch in terms of community/people?

sportychicsam14 · 04-29-2009, 02:20 AM

i second NJBKitty's questions

NJBkitty · 04-29-2009, 04:17 PM

bump... I really want to submit my housing stuff today and I don't know if I should request Balch or not... I do have 2 other questions (sorry if they were asked before): What's the bathroom situation like there (how many share a bathroom and that kind of stuff)? And is it possible to switch out of Balch if for some reason you were really unhappy there? And if so, how soon after starting the semester would it have to be?

Micny123 · 04-29-2009, 05:55 PM

Look at that, you guys have a facebook group going right there, should make it even better in trying to make the decision

About the small room, I'm guessing there's a really small chance since all I've heard is how big the Balch dorms are lol, and how they bring others over to show them their rooms. Hopefully someone who actually knows about it can help though

x3xkimiex3x · 04-29-2009, 06:17 PM

hoping this might help, its from a previous post ....Ok, this is a bit confusing, but bear with me.
Balch is 'U' shaped- there are 4 units overall. If you're facing the front, standing beneath the arch at the bottom of the 'U', the two units on your left are Units 1 and 2. The two on your right (which also have the Carol Tatkon Center and Balch's Womyn's Center) are Units 3 and 4. There are 5 floors in Balch, floors 2-6. Not each unit will have rooms on each floor (ie. Unit 1 does not have a 6th floor, Unit 4 does not have a 2nd floor because of the Tatkon).
So, for example, my room from last year was 4276 (a fantastic room ). The '4' indicates the floor, 4th floor. The '2' indicates Unit 2, the left side of the 'U'. '76' is the room #.

Floors are grouped by 'unit'. I was in 4-2. Each unit/2 units has its own RA, and its own toilet. A few units are split by a few stairs, as was my unit- there was a 'lower' and an 'upper' 4-2.

Each section has its own lounge. Unit 1 has a BEAUTIFUL study lounge, Unit 2 has a TV lounge and a study lounge, Unit 3 has a TV lounge, and Unit 4 has a small TV lounge and a study lounge. You can obviously use any of the lounges. A nice benefit is also the fact that you can walk to the Tatkon Center and get a smoothie in your slippers! there are roughly 20-30 girls in each section (4-2, etc).

and i actually ended up choosing it because it seemed like a pretty close-knit group. When i toured cornell, my tourguide had lived there the year before, and most of her best friends were from balch. Here's some extra info that was on a previous post as well...seems like fun lol

Every Friday at Balch the RAs/mentors host something called 'Tasty Treats'. One RA will go and buy a zillion yummy things, and one of the Faculty Fellows will come. Every week has a theme - chocolate, desserts around the world, milkshakes, cookies, etc. AMAZING! Plus, the RAs in Balch are very good at hosting programs and doing fun things (I have a very close friend who was a hallmate in Balch who will be an RA there again this year!) - not that all of the RAs aren't amazing, but I found that Balch really did a decent amount of activities (not too too many, because then you'd wonder how they did well in school).
At the beginning of the year, the Faculty-in-Residence (who actually don't live in the dorm, but at a house nearby) hosts a milk/cookie social for all residents. They also (when I was there) had a 'birthday party' every month for residents, and brought cake and ice cream and balloons!
So, in short, there are many ways to gain weight in Balch.

Earilmadith · 05-04-2009, 04:22 PM

Haha, I'm so glad to have picked what seems like a really great dorm for next year (:

One thing though, I'm big on some of the domestic arts. If there are current Balch girls around could one of you describe the kitchen situation, what they have there, how convenient it is to use, and maybe if you're really nice, a picture of it?

CUAmbassador11 · 05-04-2009, 04:25 PM

kitchens have a communal fridge/freezer, dishwasher (?) stove, oven and microwave. they are always open for use and anyone can use them, i.e. they are shared. when i was living in balch, there was always a problem with girls not washing their dishes or cleaning up after themselves, but that was probably just an issue on my floor. just a common courtesy thing to do