Best Freshman Dorms at Tulane?

Scribbulus
Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:32:37 +0000

Thought I’d provide some information on Patterson since it is one of the smaller dorms so maybe that’s why not as much is said about it. Son is a freshman, he wasn’t sure what he was looking for when he did the housing app last year, so he chose 1 typical freshman dorm, looked at the options and chose Patterson. He has been very pleased with his choice and in fact, though he did apply to 2 special community programs for next year, will be staying in Patterson if they don’t work out. His roommate has applied for an RA position, so there maybe a roommate change, but he’s made several friends and isn’t concerned about finding a new one. Although it is billed as the wellness dorm, that does not mean there is no drinking, partying, etc… going on, but it does seem to be at a moderate level, though this may have something to do with size, as some of the other options and it doesn’t seem that there is a problem with including those people who don’t choose to indulge. They’ve had a few TEMS visits, sadly one the very first night, but at least some of these are due to residents of other dorms showing up already on their way, so to speak.

Probably a little more pot usage than son was expecting, but again, with the exception of a few, most still attend class, make their grades, etc… It seems, as the wellness dorm, “natural” is a preferred choice. He tells me there are a few real hippies there, though I’m not sure what he considers a hippie.

More LGBQ than he even thought about really, maybe not so much more, more open, not hidden, but again, he’s not had a problem. Though to be honest, he’s really a live and let live kind of guy, he likes who he likes, based on the person, trite though that may sound. Does a much better job of it than I do, to be truthful.

They have a popular common room, he tells me kids from other dorms actually come over fairly often. There is always something going on, and while he’s definitely not that into yoga, meditation, vegan etc, he has actually attended a few programs and had a few conversations leading to things he has called and said “why didn’t you ever tell me this”; now keep in mind, they’re usually things I did tell him, he just didn’t listen. So he’s walking, working out some (he’s trying to work up to every but not there yet), making healthier choices in meal, so he’s actually lost about 12 pounds. So while it’s not in your face, some wellness stuff is certainly sinking in.

They make their poor floor adviser work really hard sometimes to get them to come out for programs, meetings, etc…, so she’s resorted to bribing cookies, pizza etc… which works pretty well for guys.

He tells me not just his floor gets along, pretty much the whole dorm does. It is a mixed dorm, freshmen & up and he tells me that of course there are 1 or 2 kids that think they’re a cut above the rest, but basically he says they greet each other walking across campus, drag each other out to different things, (which has been good for son, giving him experiences beyond his norm, which to me is one of the things college should do).

Due to events son didn’t want to miss, he actually came in several times last semester (we’re about 7 hours away), which means I’ve been in the dorm several times. (that part of freshmen not being allowed cars has not been fun), and not only were the kids I saw out friendly to son, they also were friendly to me, not the least bit put off by having a parent show up.

So really, if you’ve got a student or are a student, who wants a mixture of quirky, unique kids as dorm-mates, if you like to party some, but don’t think you have to get wasted every weekend and are willing to get out in the city and try some different experiences, if you’re serious about your studies, but are working on that balance between school and fun, and are at least willing to listen to the wellness stuff, Patterson works. I don’t know if it’s like this every year, if this is just a really good year or what, but son is happy enough to stay next year.