I interviewed an employee of the Housing and Dinning Services at CU-Boulder today to find out on what basis does the school decide where to put students.
Elise told me that the decision on which dorm students live in is based on three factors. Date of application, eligibility and preference questions.
Date of application is probably the most important factor for getting the dorm of your choice. Rooms are filled on a first come first serve basis. Therefore if you apply early and are eligible you are very likely to get your desired room.
Eligibility is specific to your major. Certain halls allow only students with certain majors. For example Farrand Hall only allows arts and science majors or the engineering quad only allows students in the engineering school to live there. You can find information of the eligibility requirements of any dorm online.
Preference questions are used to match you with your roommate(s). They ask questions about your cleanliness, sleep schedule, if you are a smoker and what kind of activities you enjoy. On a side note I asked Elise how they choose the students that live in the five person sweets (arguably the best rooms on campus). On your preference application you must check that you want to live in a sweet. This usually means you will live in a three person room but could mean that you get the five person sweet atop of Farrand Hall.
I would also like to make the point that although they look at preference questions those can only go so far. Incoming freshmen are really paired with someone totally random. You could be living with any type of person really for an entire year.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Interview with anonymous dorm residents
How would you rate your overall experience in the dorms?
"6-7 out of ten because I have met alot of good friends here and its close to classes but then some downsides are like I do not like all the rules about drinking and they're too strict, it's like a concentration camp"
Do you see the friends you have made in the dorms as long term friends?
Yeah, they are my closest friends at CU.
Has the hall director and R.A.s been helpful or fair?
The R.A. for our hall has been great, helping me with academic advising and questions I have about CU. The hall director should be fired immediately, he is unfair and has a grudge against students.
How do you get along with your roommate?
Good, very easy going and easy to live with.
What dorm would you recommend for an incoming freshman?
Cheyenne Arapaho, closest to Ferrand Field, and broadway.
Where are you living next year?
University Village, near Boulder Creak
Whats your Major?
International Affairs
Where are the majority of the kids in your hall from?
Cali
Why did you come to CU?
California public colleges are horrible and this just seemed like the place for me.
How would you rate your overall experience in the dorms?
I would say a six out of ten. I was able to meet tons of people through the dorms, but was also falsely accused by the RAs a few times.
Do you see the friends you have made in the dorms as long term friends?
Yes. There are definitely friends who I have met that I think will be long term friends.
Has the hall director and R.A.s been helpful or fair?
No. I do not beleive the RAs have been fair. I was treated with zero respect on numerous occasions.
How do you get along with your roommate?
My roommate and I are alright. We pretty much just do our own thing.
What dorm would you recommend for an incoming freshman?
I am not sure. I have not experienced many others.
Where are you living next year?
In a house.
Whats your Major?
Open-option, but I am looking to do something in Leeds.
Where are the majority of the kids in your hall from?
I am not sure. There is a mix of in state and out of state kids.
Why did you come to CU?
My family is out here.
"6-7 out of ten because I have met alot of good friends here and its close to classes but then some downsides are like I do not like all the rules about drinking and they're too strict, it's like a concentration camp"
Do you see the friends you have made in the dorms as long term friends?
Yeah, they are my closest friends at CU.
Has the hall director and R.A.s been helpful or fair?
The R.A. for our hall has been great, helping me with academic advising and questions I have about CU. The hall director should be fired immediately, he is unfair and has a grudge against students.
How do you get along with your roommate?
Good, very easy going and easy to live with.
What dorm would you recommend for an incoming freshman?
Cheyenne Arapaho, closest to Ferrand Field, and broadway.
Where are you living next year?
University Village, near Boulder Creak
Whats your Major?
International Affairs
Where are the majority of the kids in your hall from?
Cali
Why did you come to CU?
California public colleges are horrible and this just seemed like the place for me.
How would you rate your overall experience in the dorms?
I would say a six out of ten. I was able to meet tons of people through the dorms, but was also falsely accused by the RAs a few times.
Do you see the friends you have made in the dorms as long term friends?
Yes. There are definitely friends who I have met that I think will be long term friends.
Has the hall director and R.A.s been helpful or fair?
No. I do not beleive the RAs have been fair. I was treated with zero respect on numerous occasions.
How do you get along with your roommate?
My roommate and I are alright. We pretty much just do our own thing.
What dorm would you recommend for an incoming freshman?
I am not sure. I have not experienced many others.
Where are you living next year?
In a house.
Whats your Major?
Open-option, but I am looking to do something in Leeds.
Where are the majority of the kids in your hall from?
I am not sure. There is a mix of in state and out of state kids.
Why did you come to CU?
My family is out here.
Sewall Dinning Hall
This is a picture of Sewall Dinning Hall. This is the dorm that has the best food in the dining hall judging from the surveys!
Interview with RA Brandon Springer
Interview with Sewall RA Brandon Springer: by Gina Nygren
Q: Do you like being a RA and would you recommend it?
A: Yes! I absolutely love it. It has its ups and downs each day, especially when you have to punish your residents, but overall it is great. It takes a certain type of person to be a RA, but I would definitely recommend becoming one.
Q: Why did you choose to be an RA at Sewall?
A: Sewall is by far my favorite dorm on campus. I study a lot, so the location is very convenient since it is right next to the library. The food in Sewall is also the best, and thats a plus for me since I have lived in Sewall for 3 years. I would not choose to live in any other dorm.
Q: What is the down side of living in the dorms again?
A: Honestly, I love living in the dorms. I would rather live here than at a house on the hill. Quiet hours make is easy to live in a dorm. Having someone else cook for you is another plus. There is free tutoring if you live in the dorms, which comes in handy at times.
Q: What is your favorite part about the dorms?
A: I love the social atmosphere in the dorms. I have been an RA for 3 years, and I have made new friends each year. It is fun always being around people and having a community to live in.
Q: What would you tell students that are going to be living in the dorms next year as advice?
A: I would tell them not to pack too much, you will not use half of the stuff you bring. I would also tell them to always keep their door open to meet new friends and be open to that. Studying is a must in college and if it is too crazy in your dorm then go to the library that is right on campus.
Q: Do you like being a RA and would you recommend it?
A: Yes! I absolutely love it. It has its ups and downs each day, especially when you have to punish your residents, but overall it is great. It takes a certain type of person to be a RA, but I would definitely recommend becoming one.
Q: Why did you choose to be an RA at Sewall?
A: Sewall is by far my favorite dorm on campus. I study a lot, so the location is very convenient since it is right next to the library. The food in Sewall is also the best, and thats a plus for me since I have lived in Sewall for 3 years. I would not choose to live in any other dorm.
Q: What is the down side of living in the dorms again?
A: Honestly, I love living in the dorms. I would rather live here than at a house on the hill. Quiet hours make is easy to live in a dorm. Having someone else cook for you is another plus. There is free tutoring if you live in the dorms, which comes in handy at times.
Q: What is your favorite part about the dorms?
A: I love the social atmosphere in the dorms. I have been an RA for 3 years, and I have made new friends each year. It is fun always being around people and having a community to live in.
Q: What would you tell students that are going to be living in the dorms next year as advice?
A: I would tell them not to pack too much, you will not use half of the stuff you bring. I would also tell them to always keep their door open to meet new friends and be open to that. Studying is a must in college and if it is too crazy in your dorm then go to the library that is right on campus.
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