The Great Housing Debate

Members of the Class of 2015: Your next major milestone will be getting your housing details squared away. Here, Christopher Bierasinski and Leah Squires, both members of the Admissions staff and Class of 2010 alumni, share their memories about their own freshman housing experiences and debate which hall reigns supreme.

Christopher Bierasinski (CB): Susan B. Anthony is the largest freshman dormitory on campus, with nearly 60 percent of the class living in that one building. I enjoyed living there not only because of the superior sense of community, but also because it was the home of two different dining options: Danforth Dining Center and Hillside Café. Danforth is the “all-you-can-eat” option on campus, and Hillside was (it’s being updated this summer) the early-morning and late-night café. Both were great to have in your dorm building, especially during some of Rochester’s fouler weather. It was always a fun game in February to see who had to walk across campus in full winter clothing and who came down from their room wearing slippers and shorts.

Leah Squires (LS): The Residential Quad includes six different buildings, three of which are freshman-only dormitories: Hoeing, Gilbert, and Tiernan. My freshman year, I lived in Hoeing, the smallest of the three. There are several advantages to living on the Res Quad. First and foremost, you are more central to campus—in close proximity to Wilson Commons (the student union), the Goergen Athletic Center, and easy tunnel access to the Academic Quad. Regardless of where you live freshman year, there’s a great sense of community among the freshman class. When living on the Quad, though, with three upperclassman dorms sharing lawn space (excellent in the fall and spring for picnics and Frisbee, by the way), you feel more integrated into campus overall. Be sure to check out the Bar-B-Quad each spring. Also, fun fact: Rooms on the Res Quad are slightly larger.

CB: Leah makes some fine points about the Res Quad, but Sue B. is still a superior place. Since she decided to bring up her proximity to some of the buildings on campus, I should mention that Sue B. is right next to the University Health Service (UHS), Fauver Stadium, and Spurrier Hall. Not feeling well? Two-second walk out the front door and you are in the caring hands of the UHS staff. Want to play a late-night game of ultimate Frisbee with your hall? Good thing Fauver Stadium is right next door. The University leaves the field lights on so that students can take advantage of the space after the sun sets. Who doesn’t like playing sports under the lights? Nobody, that’s who. Spurrier is a multi-use facility that includes space for fencing, a large basketball court, dance studios, and practice rooms for musicians. It is also connected to Sue B. via tunnel, so you can just head over in your gym clothes. Two points to Sue B.

LS: I can appreciate Chris’s point about the buildings nearby Sue B., because they each contribute to a positive student life on campus. I agree that there is little worse than slogging across campus to visit UHS when you’re feeling under the weather. But chances are that Chris just ate too much Danforth, hence his dire need to receive care. Side note: If you’re concerned about the “freshman fifteen,” know that if you live on the Quad, you’re looking at the “freshman five,” since you actually walk to get your food. And if you exercise on a regular basis, it might just be five pounds of muscle from lifting at Goergen. I also forgot to mention that there is greater kitchen access on the Res Quad for our cooks and bakers out there. While we may not have a tunnel to Spurrier for the musically inclined, rest assured that the Res Quad has a place for you: Gilbert houses a piano, and Lovejoy, one of the upperclassman halls, has a number of practice rooms.

CB: Our readers at home will now notice that Leah is on the defensive, which makes sense, as she represents the inferior Res Quad. With the majority of students living in Sue B., it’s really easy to meet new people. Odds are if you meet a freshman on campus, he or she will live in Sue B. Kitchens are plenty accessible in Sue B., too, as there is one on each floor. There is also a quiet study lounge and a group lounge on each floor. On the seventh floor, there is a solarium with couches, a piano, a ping-pong table, and a pool table. I’m willing to cede the fact that there is something similar to this in Gilbert on the Res Quad. In reality, the two spaces are very similar, and students make the most of what they are provided.

LS: I will acknowledge that the solarium is pretty cool; however, throughout the Res Quad, there are actually a greater number of lounges available for students. Another great feature of the Res Quad is the immediacy of the Genesee River. The river trail provides a scenic route for biking, running, or walking. The footbridge is also nearby, and many students frequent Boulder, a popular café just across the river, where you can study or simply hang out. And Chris, everyone knows defense wins. I rest my case.

CB: We’ll just agree to disagree, then.

As you can see, loyalties run deep, and the rivalry is still strong. Regardless of which hall you end up in, you’ll enjoy plenty of perks and start building your own memories. In fact, before long, you’ll likely find yourself defending your territory in arguments much like this one.