Bell-Young (BY)
BY is located near the edge of lower campus, and has a quieter atmosphere. Residents enjoy two common rooms, one of which has an attached outdoor space. Behind the hall is a pretty grassy area with trees that is the perfect location for relaxing with friends or reading outside. Overall BY has a more updated feel than the older res halls on campus.
Wylie
Located on lower campus near BY, Wylie is definitely a quiet dorm. This could be either good or bad; it may be less social, but peaceful for relaxing and studying. Wylie’s residents enjoy a very updated res hall, with nice bathrooms. Additionally the dorm is completed with an aesthetically pleasing blue-green color scheme in the halls, and a classier common room.
Erdman is widely considered one of the more sought-after dorms on campus. On the outside, the hall fits in nicely with Oxy’s Spanish-inspired architectural theme. On the inside, Erdman’s common room boasts a more grand style, with high ceilings and detailed crown molding. Residents also enjoy hardwood floors and a close location to the Cooler.
Haines
Like Erdman, Haines more closely matches the period architecture of Oxy’s campus, and has a finely furnished interior (complete with hardwood floors). That being said, Haines is one of the few upper-division halls without air conditioning and can get a little stuffy.
Note: President Obama stayed here during his time at Oxy…not that this will affect your year in Haines, but that’s kind of awesome.
Editor’s Note: I have lived in Haines the past two years and I love it!! It is the perfect location and the heat isn’t bad if you have a fan.
Stearns
Stearns stands out among Oxy’s other upper division halls with a sort of tree house inspired design. Located high up on campus, Stearns enjoys a pretty view of LA and the most number of usable balconies. Getting to the hall can be a bit of a stair-hike, but just think of how great your calves will look at the end of the year. This res hall is less updated than halls like Wylie (and also does not have air conditioning), but has a two-story common room and a more social atmosphere.
Rangeview
Rangeview has plenty of perks as the newest and most updated res hall at Oxy. In addition to dorm rooms (without communal bathrooms), Rangeview houses some classrooms, a fitness center, and the coffee cart. The design is a melding of the Spanish inspired style seen on campus with a more modern feel, complete with enclosed courtyards and outdoor seating. The building’s layout allows for a more apartment-style feel, which in turn makes Rangeview lose some of the “community” sense that comes with typical dorm living.
No matter which res hall you ultimately choose, you really can’t go wrong. Each building has a unique feel complete with individual perks and drawbacks. It’s a tough choice, but once you’ve made your decision you can begin to look forward to a great upcoming year at Oxy in your brand new dorm room!