Students Weigh the Pros and Cons of Dorm Life

Staff Writer
 

   Living on campus in the dormitories has its pros and cons, but can ultimately be the most beneficial choice for college students.

Photo by Eric Bell

Dorm Life - Junior history major Chellaine Hargrave and sophomore mid-level education major study in their dorm room at Horsfall Hall.  Learning to live with a roommate can pose a challenge for many college students living on campus.

Pro: Money

   Dormitory life provides the best financial option with an average of about $760 per semester for a dorm with a roommate. The cost of an average apartment in Monticello runs approximately $450 per month not including utilities, food and the cost of gas to travel to  and from campus. Just the rent alone over one semester is $1,800, but the total cost for a dorm with the minimum meal-plan is just over $1,760.

   “The one flat rate for a semester is much better than having to pay a monthly bill,” said Maurice Williams, a first-year student living in Bankston Hall.

Cons: Hygiene

   Privacy and personal hygiene draw the most concern among many dormitory students. Royer, Horsfall and Bankston halls all have community bathrooms.

   “The biggest problem is that everyone doesn’t have the same morals and home training that others do,” junior Horsfall Hall resident Bonnie Crump said. “We had to have a dorm meeting on people leaving BMs in the toilet and basic hygiene.”

   Students want residents to respect and understand that everyone shares these common areas and they should be mindful of that.

   “People don’t respect the common areas and it makes living conditions intolerable,” Williams said.

   For many students, sharing a small space and a bathroom can be an eye-opening experience.

Pro: Security

   All residents of enclosed dorms (Royer, Horsfall and Bankston) have a key that allows only them to enter the dorm, protecting against unauthorized entry.

   With the recent school shootings on campuses, security has become more of concern among many first-year students.

   “I had a stalker before and it was not a good experience,” said Arcennia Jacobs, a first-year student living in Royer Hall. “The bad girls may not like it, but a good girl like me enjoys the added security.”

Conclusion:

   Staying in the dorms provides security, convenient access to classes and campus events, and financial benefits. Each person has their own personal opinions on dormitory life and should consider all the pros and cons before making a decision.

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