I put DuBois on my housing application because it said it had a kitchen and, though I can’t cook, I thought that might be cool. When I found out my first seven dorm choices had been ignored, I went straight to the Penn ’17 Facebook group to find tips on how to switch rooms. However, once I got on campus, I realized how clutch it was to have my own bathroom. From there, my perspective slowly began to change.
Who needs beautiful Quad architecture when I have a view of Bobby’s and Chipotle? The kitchen may be weird—there’s a giant closet dividing the stove and sink, which really doesn’t make any sense—but one of my roommates loves to cook, so every once in a while I get a top notch, swipe–free meal in my own building (suck on that, Hill). An added bonus: My roommates and I each have our own (albeit small) bedrooms. Guess who still gets along because we’re not living on top of each other? Residents may not have the glamour of McClelland, but the fourth floor study lounge and the multipurpose room sure are terrific. Plus, when we ditch studying, the basement has both a piano and pool table.
On the downside, getting packages is a drag—literally. Have you ever carried a box back from Rodin, and then lugged it up four flights of stairs? I have. There’s no elevator. But, as a white male, this is my first time bringing diversity to a group. I’m proud to be one of the boys of DuBois and I wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else.
Unless there’s AC.
