At Hamilton, you are exposed to various and different living experiences on campus—to be exact, there are 27 dorms for students’ use—and each place uniquely contributes to the whole community. As a freshman, navigating the various buildings is a skill easily acquired, but understanding the distinct cultures of the particular dorms is one that requires some firsthand knowledge and feedback from the upperclassmen. For the first month of school (or longer, for many), you’ll probably be victim to those lingering, awkward moments of confusion: wait, which building is Milbank? How do I get to Bundy? Why do all these dorms on “dark side” look exactly the same??!!
Let’s first define some key “terms.” You can’t call yourself a Hamilton student without a basic understanding of the phrases of “light side” and “dark side.” These sides of campus are defined physically and atmospherically; while Martin’s Way serves as a physical barrier dividing the older Hamilton and more modern Kirkland ends of campus. the Hamilton and Kirkland sides, or “light” and “dark” sides, respectively, are separated by each end’s own, stereotyped atmosphere. Whereas the “light side” of Hamilton is typically associated with the preppy, athletic, and/or Greek members of the student body, the “dark side” is known to house the more eclectic, artistic, and hipster Hamiltonians.
Once each end’s traditional attributes are understood, one must only know these traditionally upheld, honest characteristics to distinguish between the most popular dorms on campus. Trust me, you won’t find them in any Hamilton guide book:
1. Bundy (i.e. The Sophomore Experience): The two buildings in the Bundy complex (Bundy East and Bundy West) are located slightly down the Hill. Bundy is most known for the Bundy Dining Hall, a popular social space on campus for sports teams and Greek organizations throughout the year. Attending a campus-wide Bundy party is somewhat of a rite of passage into the true college experience for any Hamilton freshman: a Bundy party is like the trashy, “fraty”, STD-ridden party you see on TV shows and in movies, where everyone goes to get drunk and find someone to hook up with. It’s pure college in all of its dirty, vision-violating glory. The innocent and naïve be warned.
2. Carnegie: Carnegie, which is named in honor of the famous steel tycoon, is located in the main quad area on the north side of campus, right across from the Alumni Gym. It is luxurious and hard to snag in the housing lottery, making it a dream dorm for upperclassmen at Hamilton. Want a live here in the future? Good luck—so does everyone else. You’ll most likely only get invited to a party here if you have a sports team or frat connection.
3. Dunham (i.e. The Freshman Experience or Freshman Year 2.0): Dunham is the largest residence hall on campus, housing 252 students. The dorm is always packed with (wild, trashy, inexperienced…) freshmen and therefore gains its reputation as the quintessential (wild, trashy, inexperienced…) freshman dorm…with the addition of sophomores in split doubles or singles (who didn’t get a good housing number, are too lazy to live anywhere outside the heart of campus, or desperately want to relive freshman year). Being that it is in the center of campus, Dunham has an ideal location throughout the entire school year.
4. Eells and Ferguson: The Eells and Ferguson Houses are located by Admissions. These dorms once served as fraternity houses on campus before houses were removed in the 1990s. Their classic architecture, “fancy” interiors, and porches make the buildings seem as if they were taken out of The Great Gatsby. Holding mainly juniors and seniors, these desirable dorms are ideal for hosting outdoor parties during both the beginning and end of the year. Like with Carn, you’ll most likely only get invited to a party here if you have a sports team or frat connection (or if it’s Class & Charter Weekend, and there’s a porch party there).
5. Griffin Road (i.e. G-Road): This townhouse apartment complex is located on Griffin Road across from the Tompkins Golf Course. While it is a bit of a trek to get to the area, this campus spot frequently has social events in the beginning of the first semester and Greek events during rush/pledging season. Because it’s a distance off of the main campus, stuff can get pretty crazy out there, especially during pledging season.
6. Major, Macintosh, Minor, Keehn, Oh My: Yes, it is true that all the dorms on “dark side” look very similar and, therefore, are easily confused at night! They make up the freshman experience on dark side of campus, being that these dorms house mainly, if not only, freshmen. The Faculty Apartments on the bottom level of campus are frequently headquarters for smaller Greek organizations and host many lesser-known social events throughout the year.
7. Milbank and Babbitt: These dorms are comprised of “suites”: four singles and one double share a common room and kitchen. Housing a variety of groups on campus—sports teams, Greek organizations, or just groups of friends—Milbank and Babbitt are infamous for their suite parties, large-scale versions of the common “dorm party.” While Babbitt is typically filled with “dark side” studets, Milbank now gaining a rept as the “light side” of “dark side” because, especially this year, it is filled with sports teams, frats, and sororities.
8. Root Farmhouse: If you hear loud music coming from the center of campus on a weekend, it is most likely because of the Root Farmhouse. Located next to the Beinecke Student Activities Village along Martin’s Way, the farmhouse consists of three apartments. When the weather is nice, you can be sure to spot a group of upperclassmen chilling on the front porch with food, a stereo, and possibly some golf clubs.
9. South: South is home to the REAL program, a freshmen-option in which students have an opportunity to integrate their academic work and residential environment by taking a course with their roommates. This dorm is unique in that it holds “six-pools,” or rooms that contain six students. Students that are involved in the REAL program take their selected program course in one of the classrooms on the fourth floor.
10. Wertimer: Located slightly down the hill behind the Bristol Center, Wertimer House is the new home to the Leadership Experience And Preparation (LEAP) Program for freshmen. This dorm, due to its small size and distance from the other dorms on campus, is frequently seen as the cause of a tight bond that forms among its inhabitants (i.e. a cult of Wertimites).
11. Woollcott (i.e. The Co-Op): The Co-Op is quite possibly the most unique dorm on campus. Students that opt to live in this dorm have a commune-esque living stuation with the dorm’s other inhabitants; its members take turns fulfilling specific tasks, such as cleaning the house and making meals (which typically are friendly to vegans, vegetarians, or gluten-free students). Being invited to a meal at the Co-Op is a true culinary experience–the family-style meal is homemade, the people are genuine and friendly, and the food is delicious. This dorm is often associated with the “hippie” and “earthy and organic” vibe on campus, especially because it is located right by the Hamilton Community Farm. The Co-Op basement serves as a cramped, dark social space very rarely, but when it does, it is an unique rager many Hamilton students do not want to pass up! Because the Co-Op is a relatively small community, however, you’ve got to be “in the know” to have the details for such events.
12. 3994 and 4002: This small dorm is a duplex located down Campus Road beyond Admissions. Each apartment has a living room and a large kitchen. One of the 4002 Campus Road apartments can either be female-only and the other male-only or both must be co-ed. Rooms are offered to sophomore, junior and senior students. They can accommodate six students and is co-ed by apartment or by room. This area infamously holds impromptu live performances of campus bands…but, again, you must be “in the know” in order to have an invitation.
Though becoming familiar with all the dorms on campus can initially be overwhelming, experiencing each particular atmosphere is truly one of the greatest parts of freshman year. Through checking out the different vibes and scenes, you will eventually learn which dorm is your real home-away-from-home.