CCers:
Allow me to christen this thread with a response I provided via Private Message to the user janesmom1. She was asking for advice regarding housing for her daughter, and I'm sure she won't mind me sharing.
RESPONSE TO JANESMOM1:
janesmom1,
Allow me to preface my message by pointing you in the direction of the following page off of the Residence Life website:
http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~reslife/re...halls_grid.php. This chart should help you in filling out that room preference questionnaire, because as I understand, you can't make specific choices anymore. There are certain criteria that you select (size of building, number of first-year students, gender layout, etc.). If your daughter were to decide on Ruef Hall, for instance, she would need to make sure her choices clearly designate that particular residence hall. I could always help you fill it out once she makes her choice.
Let's take it a step at a time, shall we?
1. My top choice for her would be Ruef Hall. Even though it was built back in 1969 and the interior may seem a little bit dated, the social/community atmosphere MORE than makes up for that! The rooms are nicely-sized doubles, and the building houses 110 first-years and about 30 sophomores. It is co-ed by section of the building (males and females room on opposite split-level sections of each floor). Each room has two walk-in closets, which students really enjoy for privacy. I can't stress enough that the students in Ruef ALWAYS get to know each other really well, and a large community lounge on the first floor helps facilitate socializing. The lounge has pool tables, ping-pong tables, a large TV, couches, and vending machines. Ruef is centrally located on campus near many academic buildings (check out a campus map at
http://www.lafayette.edu/community/campusmap/) and many other residence halls.
2. PT Farinon House/Conway House: these two buildings are called "art houses" (I'm not entirely sure why). Each houses just about 30 first-year students, so it's like a big family. There are central lounge areas in each building. The only downside is that both buildings are located a little far west on campus (see campus map). However, the students get to know each other really well and seem to have a good time. The houses are similar in interior quality to Ruef Hall.
3. Kamine Hall holds about 90 first-years. It is located far from the center of campus, but is in great condition since it was just built. There is also a dining location on the ground floor called Simon's Cafe that serves hot sub sandwiches and home-made soups. Maybe not a good idea if you'd like to save a few $$$, because if you live there, you run through $$$ quickly! It has air conditioning.
4. Keefe Hall has carpeting in all the students rooms and air conditioning. It houses just 16 first-year students on a "Wellness" floor (no drugs/alcohol). I lived there last year, and let me assure you that there is no stigma to living on a "Wellness" floor. We got to know each other SO WELL, but I feel it was too quiet at times. The building is in really great shape and is located next to Ruef Hall. However, the 16 of us tended to isolate ourselves from the rest of the building because they were all upperclassmen. A great building, but again, maybe not "social" enough for your daughter.
5. Marquis Hall is an all-female residence hall. I've heard mixed things about this building. Some like it because it has a main dining hall just downstairs. Others thought there was "too much estrogen flying around" (take that as you will). The rooms are nicely-sized, and many have a shared walk-in closet. It houses 40 first-year women, and 60 women total. There is also a 24/7 computer lab in the basement, which is pretty convenient.
6. I would probably avoid McKeen Hall. Even though it went through an interior renovation just recently, it gets a little rowdy and people tend to tear down the walls (literally) in that building. I'd also steer away from Gates Hall, which is located right next to McKeen Hall. It is in need of an interior renovation.
7. Now, on to South College, which is probably the most popular options for all students who choose to live on campus (95% of students). It houses first through fourth-year students in a co-ed setting (males and females room next to each other). It is our largest residence hall, housing just about 220 students total (110 spots are RESERVED for first-year students). There is always some action going on in South, and it can get noisy on Friday and Saturday nights with small parties in student rooms. I'm not saying parties don't happen elsewhere, but South is known as being more "socially active" than other buildings. It was last renovated in 2002, so it now has carpeting in each room and air conditioning. The rooms, on average, are ENORMOUS for two people. It might be a bit too "busy and loud" for your daughter, but consider it a viable option.
There is always more I could say about any given building, but I think my little summaries do a decent job. If you'd like to know more about a particular building, however, do not hesitate to ask for more information.
You know, if your daughter is still having trouble deciding, I could send her a few building floor plans. Just provide an email address and I'll send over a few PDF files as attachments.
Happy choosing!
- Justin
