*Official Housing Questions Thread*

[celestial605]

<p>Post all your questions about housing here! :)</p>

[celestial605]

<p>About SLE and FroSoCo:</p>

<p>Anniushka asked:

5: Tell me about SLE. I read an article talking about the program’s unpopularity and–it appears–impending demise (<a href=“http://daily.stanford.edu/article/20...ingOfTheLight)%5B/url%5D”>http://daily.stanford.edu/article/20...ingOfTheLight)</a>, and I was told my friend and his sister, who both attend Stanford (the sister did SLE) that I should definitely get involved–unless the program has kicked the bucket between now and when I matriculate. Are rumors of SLE’s death greatly exaggerated? Would it be an appropriate program for someone anticipating a science major? (I am something of a humanities type anyway–but I don’t know if I could stand majoring in a humanities-type subject. Although I know very well that what I think I’ll major in now, as a high school senior, is likely different from what I’ll actually end up getting my degree in!) Is it worth tying up much of your freshman year in a single program? (… I guess these questions are best directed toward a SLE student/alum… if there are any here.)</p>

<p>6: Also tell me about FroSoCo. The other half of aforementioned pair of Stanford siblings recommended FroSoCo as an alternative to SLE. Any thoughts on it?

superwizard answered:

Well you’re in luck because I have a very close friend in sle and another in FroSoCo. I’ll start off with sle. It’s true that most Stanford students like to make fun of sle (hehehe me for example) but they’re not really serious. The thing is sle takes up 9-10 units a quarter and so sle students end up only taking only one or two classes other than sle. Add to that the fact that most sle kids eat in their dining hall and you’ve got this small little community that rarely reaches out to the rest of the Stanford community. Now I actually have several friends who take sle (mostly because I’ve hung around there quite a few times with my good friend and his friends) and they’re really just normal Stanford kids who happen to openly like to discuss what I call ‘fuzziness’ (side note: sle kids are usually the quiet type). Really if you are of that type I highly encourage you to go to sle. If you’re taking sle you could probably fit one or two science classes each quarter so I see no reason why that should hinder you. Oh and the sle house (I pretty much mean Faison) isn’t exactly your party house. My close friend seems to like sle and says that it really isn’t a 9 unit class (meaning he thinks its not that demanding-trust me a good thing) so really it comes down to whether or not you like reading roman ethics, Plato and the bible (to give examples of things they take) or prefer to study other things.</p>

<p>FroSoCo on the other hand is really just a housing option. If you go to FroSoCo you get 2 years guaranteed there which is particularly useful because you get two ‘preferred’ draws and one ‘unpreferred’ one. If you don’t know what the draw is check the unofficial guide to Stanford which explains it. FroSoCo is pretty far from every where else but not exactly disastrously far (not really more than a minute or two’s bike from lagunita) so that pretty much is the cost of getting those two years of housing. Their dining hall is good (eaten there several times) but it’s peanut-free so you’re not even allowed to bring in peanuts into the dining hall!</p>

<p>Also if you’re looking for a unique dorm at Stanford may I suggest one of the ethnic themed dorms? I live in Ujamaa and I can honestly say that I love it! True you should probably not expect to get any work done there (I go to the library for almost all my work) but it’s really a great place to live. Oh and don’t think that you have to be black to go. Roughly half the freshmen are not black and they all (including me) love it there. Ujamaa students are admittedly louder than others and we do stay up later so if you’re that kind of person (sleep late likes to talk) Ujamaa is definitely for you! Also we get lots of activities that go on there as well as lots of c wingers (students who don’t really live in Ujamaa but come all the time). In addition every week someone has some presentation in the lounge during dining hours where you can go and find out more about things especially the african american culture.

</p>

[celestial605]

<p>About wireless internet:</p>

<p>Ihope asked:

How are the wifi networks at Stanford?

staticsoliloquy answered:

Great, unless you’re at a co-op called Terra.

superwizard answered:

Seriously it depends on your dorm. Ujamaa just got wifi (woopee) so we’re celebrating that even though most other dorms have had wifi for years now!

celestial605 answered:

Yup. Most dorms have wireless; I also hold office hours in the dining hall, where there is wireless. Libraries, the bookstore cafe, and Tresidder Student Union also have wireless.

</p>

[celestial605]

<p>Regarding ethnic theme dorms:</p>

<p>lookatme89 asked:

Are there alot of african americans and would you suggest living in the house that is culturally themed, would apprecite answers.

superwizard answered:

So first of all I live in Ujamaa (the african american themed dorm) and it’s great. This place is fun and cool, there are themed programs every week if you care to go to them, there certainly is a lot of african americans here but not everyone is (only half the freshman are-for example I’m not!). However if you want your dorm to be quiet you’re going to hsve to find somewhere else cuz in Uj things can get pretty loud (not everywhere in Uj but in certain areas).

lookatme89 asked:

i know that alot of posts have already disscussed housing but i still wanna know more bout Ujamin(African American House) I am an African american looking forward to connecting with fellow blks…but i dont want to isolate myself. Does this house have a repetion and would I be seen as isolated from the rest of the Stanford Community for living there

XRedcomet answered:

Not at all! Ujamaa has a pretty good reputation on campus, and it is in no way isolated from the rest of the campus as it’s right in the midst of Lag and Roble (it shares its dining hall with Lag and Roble), so you’ll get plenty of interaction with other people outside your dorm. Furthermore, Stanford theme dorms allow for at most 50% of that ethnicity, so you’ll have plenty of diversity while still having that unique community. I know a few people from Ujamaa and they’re all pretty cool guys/gals.

</p>

[celestial605]

<p>Dorm logistics:</p>

<p>lookatme89 asked:

what are the dorms like cause im kinda used to having my own bedroom and bathroom…does each room have a bathroom?

celestial605 answered:

Each dorm does not have their own bathroom, and you will almost for sure not have your own bedroom. The majority of freshmen are put into 1-room doubles, which means there is one big room for two people. It’s supposed to be a bonding experience Get to know a new person, share living space, learn to cooperate… it almost always works out. After freshman year, you will enter the housing draw, in which you are assigned a random number and are allowed to pick where to live based on what number you have. I was 412 or something like that and got to live in Serra, where I have a humongous single (a room all to myself). Singles are very popular… like you, many people like to have their own space. Another nice alternative is a 2-room double; there is a thin wall and a door separating the two rooms (inner and outer); you can only exit to the hallway through the outer room. This also gives privacy but is more intimate than having totally separate rooms. There are other (generally less favorable) room arrangements such as a 1-room triple, 2-room triple, 3-room quad… But again, you won’t be able to choose where you live until sophomore year and on.</p>

<p>There are bathrooms on each hall. There is almost never a problem with too many people in a bathroom. A bathroom is perhaps for about 25-30 people, but again, I emphasize that it’s really not a problem. Usually there’s one bathroom on a floor; there are multiple stalls, sinks, and showers.

</p>

[figgiesblazin]

<p>This isn’t exactly housing related, but do you know how they do rooming for admit weekend? Is there anyway I can request not to be put in someone’s room? It would be pretty awkward if I ended up with my ex-boyfriend’s current girlfriend.</p>

[JimmyEatWorld711]

<p>Haha. Your odds of getting put with one specific person are pretty slim, since most of the rooms are randomly assigned and there are 1,500 different room hosts.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, I’m pretty sure there’s a form you can fill out for host requests. If no such form appears, you could always call the Admissions office after you reserve your spot at Admit Weekend and make your request.</p>

[fuzzylogic]

<p>bump…</p>

[Studying_Stud]

<p>What’s the probability of getting a single dorm during freshman year?</p>

[celestial605]

<p>Very small. Very few dorms even have singles for freshmen; my dorm, Cedro, had 4 singles for freshmen. My current dorm, Serra, is a 4-class dorm and no freshmen have singles. I don’t know an exact number, sorry, but it is unlikely that you will get a single your first year. Please try not to worry about the roommate situation though - it usually works out well, and it’s a good experience.</p>

[pyleela]

<p>Anyone have info on FloMo (specifically SLE) housing?</p>

[celestial605]

<p>I stayed in FloMo for Admit Weekend. I thought the facilities were decently nice; not glamorous, but decent. I liked that there was a tub in the bathroom. =] Food was decent too; I hear it’s better now. Location is good - right across from Tresidder.</p>

[jwj]

<p>Chances of a single as a freshman: virtually nil. Unless some fantastic circumstance happens such as your future roommate deferring suddenly the day before school starts, or something on that scale of fortuitousness, you’re going to have a roommate. And as for Cedro, those rooms are like…cupboards, if I remember right…if anything it’s something of an annoyance, not a “Oh sweet”.</p>

[pyleela]

<p>Thanks guys! :)</p>

[XRedcomet]

<p>

Anyone have info on FloMo (specifically SLE) housing?

I’m currently living in WestFlo (SLE is in the three EastFlo dorms), but housing is pretty much the same all around. We’ve got some of the biggest doubles on campus with nice, large windows. The closets are also pretty large. The nice thing about FloMo dining is that it’s connected directly to the dorms, so you don’t even have to go outside to eat. However, FloMo dining can vary from bland to very good on any given day, and is closed for two days of the week (Friday and Saturday).</p>

<p>And Celestial, none of the girls, to my knowledge, have ever used the tub (they’re only in the girls’ bathrooms). Apparently it’s pretty sketchy. :)</p>

[pyleela]

<p>I think any dorm tub would sketchy… :O</p>

[marlgirl]

<p>FloMo also always has ice cream and you can fit a ballroom gown in any of the closets. The location is actually pretty nice and the rooms are nice. I’m personally not a fan of the dining hall, but you could always just bike to Wilbur or Lag for food if you really felt like it, neither are that far away.</p>

[formebyme25]

<p>What about fraternities/sororities…are they very popular at stanford and do you think they’re good options?</p>

[CoasterCowboy67]

<p>When are we officially informed by Stanford what type of room we will have, which dorm will be living in, and who are roommate will be?</p>

<p>Can you request a specific roommate?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

[celestial605]

<p>I believe you find out your dorm in the summer, but I am not positive (this was 3 years ago for me). However, you will not find out exactly what your room is like or who your roommate will be until you arrive on the first day of orientation to move in.</p>

<p>Under normal circumstances, you cannot request a roommate. Stanford emphasizes meeting new people and learning new perspectives, and they usually do a good job of matching roommates. If there are special circumstances, I suppose it can’t hurt to ask.</p>