Life in a Suites-Style Dorm

rolltide90
Tue, 10 Sep 2013 20:01:57 +0000

I think it is a complex mix of factors that vary significantly based on personality. My S was in a suite last year, and he is an RA in a traditional dorm (with his own room) this year. He felt more isolated in his suite last year, and raves about his experience this year and the connections he has made through his responsibilities, and just more random opportunities. He is a bit introverted at heart, so I think this change has actually been beneficial to him, despite the obvious perks of suite-style.

I think housing is very cognizant of the potential for “isolation” in the suites. In is inherent in the physical construction of each building type. In a traditional dorm, there is just more opportunity for random encounters because a roommate might meet a friend of his roommate, and so on. The open door policy is more common in traditional by just the same factors, I do believe. In the suites, there is just more natural seclusion. I think the opportunities for random interaction are just not nearly as prevalent in a suite for many reasons. I like then to apartments, even for freshman students because they are not inclined to knock on a random door quite as much. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just is what it is.

I also think it is the personality of the student. Some kids are just more social.