<p>I went to Brown 100 years ago. Dorms ranged from old/shabby but charming to new and spiffy but lacking in architectural interest. Visited a few times over the last 10 years with my own kids, nieces/nephews. Dorms pretty much the same although every building had been updated for wireless and more electronics. Classrooms the same- some historic and breathtakingly beautiful, others modern “boxes” with all the bells and whistles but without the claim that George Washington slept there or kept his horses outside.</p>
<p>This was pretty much our experience at every college we’ve visited that is more than 100 years old. There are places where the physical plant seems to be in exceptional condition (JHU’s gardens are astonishing; Cornell’s paths always seemed immaculate without as much as a blade of grass out of place; every classroom we visited was in perfect condition and the floors sparkled.) There are places that are historic and well loved but not as manicured (Brown, Harvard, U Chicago). There are places with huge variety (Yale is reputed to have “sophomore slums”- the Freshman housing is spectacular in old, beautifully maintained historic buildings surrounding a gorgeous quad with dramatic wrought iron gates; juniors and seniors get first pick in the residential colleges so their rooms tend to be beautiful and charming whereas the sophomores get the smallest rooms looking out on alleyways) and places where the housing is relatively equal across the four years.</p>
<p>I can predict that all colleges will defer maintenance and slow down routine upkeep in response to the current economy, which is only rational. I think you cut back on landscaping before you eliminate the Political Science department. There is also climate to consider- it is harder to keep the walkways clear of snow or ice at Dartmouth than at Princeton; they simply get more of it more frequently.</p>
<p>I don’t believe that any college is hiding something. If my child were taking a shower and walked back into her room to find a crowd of visitors “checking out” the physical plant I would be more than irked. You need to remember that virtually every dorm room is occupied when school is in session. Your child can have carte blanche to wander into labs and dorms when accompanied by a student host on a weekend visit.</p>