University students Amy Burian and Hollie Welch had been planning to live off campus this year. Then the Living-Learning Center opened.
The two, who lived in the Bean Complex of the University residence halls during the 2005-06 school year, agreed that their rooms felt too small. But apartment shopping was stressful, and they enjoyed certain aspects of the residence halls.
“Finally, one of our friends confessed she wanted to live on-campus again,” Burian said. “We thought, ‘Well, should we do it?’”
After conferring with their parents about “dorm expenses,” Burian and Welch entered Room Race – a first-come, first-served system designed to let returning residents pick where and with whom they would like to live in the residence halls.
Burian and Welch looked at Walton and Carson rooms but the new LLC complex was most appealing.
“The rooms are huge and not that much more expensive,” Welch said. “We didn’t look at Barnhart or Riley. If you are going to live in the dorms again, you might as well live right on campus for the proximity.”
Burian says that in the LLC, roughly eight rooms per floor are reserved for upperclassmen. She and Welch really wanted to share an LLC room and fortunately for them, they got one.
Both Burian and Welch feel that their decision to live on campus a second year was a wise one.
“Off-campus, everyone’s spread out and it’s not the same community,” Welch said.
The central location of the LLC has been ideal for Burian and Welch, who are involved in a variety of on-campus activities and have nearby meetings.
They can easily find people to eat with at the Dux Bistro and don’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning bathrooms or paying a slew of bills.
“In ways, it is better than last year,” Burian said. “We feel at home here and feel comfortable trying new activities.”
Welch agrees. “I felt like I was in uncharted territory last year,” she said.
With a new housing complex, Burian and Welch foresee an increasing number of older students considering returning to the residence halls. The potential influx of upperclassmen could change perceptions that only freshmen live in the residence halls.
Burian and Welch have some words of wisdom for those returnees considering living in the LLC next year.
They encourage returnees to build or bring a shelf for books. They said food plates, Tupperware and silverware are great for hosting lounge get-togethers, and decorative rugs and reading lamps are a must for the concrete floors and lamp-less rooms of the LLC.
Burian created a shower basket that can hang from hooks and shower heads so that she does not have to leave the basket on the ground.
Burian and Welch cite the lack of privacy and kitchen space as the negative aspects of returning to the residence halls.
“But in the LLC, it’s not so much that it detours you,” Burian said.
The roommates were able to host a fondue party for friends in their floor lounge during winter term. Having a larger room made sharing a space much easier and more private than last year, so much so that they have not had to endure roommate conflicts.
Will Burian and Welch return to the residence halls for a third year?
They plan to. Welch will be a First-Year Interest Group Assistant and Burian applied to be a Resident Assistant for the next school year.
Other students who were the first to live in the LLC this year consider returning to the complex.
This year, University freshman Audrey Abbott got her space in the LLC with “pure luck.” She will return to her fourth-floor LLC North room after successfully submitting her Room Race application.
While she will be in the same place, Abbott will have a new, assigned roommate and a different floor atmosphere.
“Everyone rants about UO’s small dorms, but here everything is new,” Abbott said. “It’s hard because after freshmen year, everyone’s off campus. It’s expected you’ll live off campus.”
Because of Abbott’s on-campus activities and the free opportunities she has in the residence halls, she doesn’t feel compelled to live off-campus.
“With the LLC, there is a draw to be in a new environment and more options to live on campus,” Abbott said. “Before, old facilities and small rooms could overweigh a love of the community.”
She believes safety is strong in the residence halls where students are “always surrounded by people.”
While Abbott is worried friends and fellow students may question her decision to extend her stay in the residence halls, she feels confident off-campus friends will appreciate her taking them out for free food on her meal points.
She hopes her friends, in return, will invite her over for home-cooked meals.
“In the end, dorm food is food. I highly doubt I would be cooking myself anything better,” Abbott said.
Regarding the potential age differences between she and her hallmates next year, Abbott isn’t worried.
“We could be at different states, but it (maturity level) all goes with personality,” she said. “Living in the dorms, you learn how to take care of yourself in a productive manner and how to interact with other people when you are living in close proximity.”
Like Burian and Welch, sophomore Josh Weinstein used University Housing’s Room Race system last spring. But instead of opting for the new LLC option, Weinstein requested to live on the fifth floor of Carson Hall.
“It was all upperclassmen. So there were only transfer, study abroad, or returning students,” Weinstein said. “Being more experienced in University life gives you a better edge and more time because you are not trying to adjust and transition as much.”
“I have friends who moved out into apartments and were telling me how much they missed the ease of living in the dorms and going downstairs to eat.”
Weinstein advises returning residents to take on some leadership roles within their halls. He encourages returnees to smile, welcome and help situate first-year students.
For those considering returning to the residence halls, University Housing’s Room Race began May 7th and will end May 29th at 6 p.m. The application is available at: https://housing.uoregon.edu/roomrace/main.php.
A different demographic
Daily Emerald
May 15, 2007
Blake Hamilton
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