<p>Previously the honors dorm was in Forbes at the bottom of the hill but there was not enough room for all the honors students who wanted to live there. This is why it was moved to Sutherland. My son is a freshman there and is really enjoying himself living with other honors students. He says it’s quiet and has not really noticed the athletes and frat students in the neighboring buildings. I’m sorry that the meeting was so poorly run, but I don’t think the location of the honors dorm is a negative (other than the hill to walk up). Everything a student needs is in the building: coffee shop, dining hall, computer room, laundry, store, etc. And my son is the studious “egghead” type - you don’t have to worry about the location. In fact, I think the top of the hill is less of a party atmosphere than the towers would be.
As for benefits of the honors program - after honors housing, the main benefit is the ability to take honors courses in the areas you are interested in. They are definitely more challenging and usually have smaller class sizes.</p>