To Sit There or Not To Sit There: 3 Separate Areas of McClurg

I know it and you know it… If someone asks about our dining hall, you are bound to compare McClurg with the Great Hall in Harry Potter.  After all, it even looks like it (Especially Frat side on Halloween). 

McClurg

Great Hall

However, we have more division in areas where students sit. Instead of having everyone congregate in the same large room, we have the three main areas of McClurg: Frat-side, Non-Frat side, and the balcony.  We all know we each have our preferred area and some people are adamant about sitting nowhere else. Here are some ups and downs of each area of McClurg…

Non-Frat

If you’re looking for a jam-packed area full of familiar people, this is the place to go.  The big downsides are that this area is hard to maneuver through and it is very loud.  If you are looking to run into someone to sit with at a meal, this is where you should journey. However, if you are going to be going back and forth for seconds, the traffic through this highly-dense area might not be for you.  A big upside is that there are separate areas that all have round tables, so it is a great place to meet with a large group of people where you can all see each other around the table.  Many people meet here for study groups or sit here to finish some last minute work throughout the day.  The window seat booths are also a wonderful luxury.  Just remember to be confident as you approach traffic, or else you will be stuck waiting forever for the oncoming people holding trays to go by. 

Frat Side

Oh Frat Side, the very very often confused area of McClurg.  Many people avoid this area like the plague, but I find it to be my favorite.  Many Fraternities and Sororities have their designated table on this side.  And, I kid you not, if you choose to sit there, they will most likely ignore you at first but then as the boys accumulate, you will eventually be bumped off the table.  It is an interesting side for sure.  The upside is that there is a straight shot back to the food lines from wherever you’re sitting. Many people are worried that they will be judged if they walk by too many times. The mindset you have to adopt is that BOYS WILL NOT CARE IF THEY SEE YOU WITH 10 DESSERTS. Truth be told, they might be too hungover or preoccupied with some really really funny story that nobody else would understand.  If you want that extra dessert, you just walk on by and acknowledge that there are lots of fraternity guys probably thinking how pretty you look that day. 

Some other upsides are that the alcoves are 1) a great place to sit and do work without being disturbed, because you are basically secluded from everyone else and 2) the perfect destination for your McClurg dates.  The alcoves provide a nice hideaway to work quietly or talk without being disturbed.  This is especially true for the alcoves toward the back area of Frat Side.

Balcony

While there seems to be a kind of rivalry between the two sides of McClurg, the Balcony area is the middle ground.  In a way, it is the best of both words.  You can have your peace and quiet and not have to worry about the surrounding Frat tables.  It is a nice place to go for study groups if you maybe want somewhere quieter than Non-frat.  It offers the perfect seclusion when you just don’t feel like dealing with either side.  

*In all honesty, no matter where you sit, take time to be thankful for the dining hall that we have.  Yes, it may seem chaotic at times, but we truly are blessed.  Chef Rick cares so much about giving us food that will make us happy and sustain us for the long hours of schoolwork.  So next time you are in McClurg, take the time to say thank you.  Many workers like the alcoves on Frat Side, and if you end up sitting near them, reach out to them.  It will make their day.

*For other tips on braving the chaos that is McClurg (especially at lunch hour rush time), check out this former Her Campus article.

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