Ithaca College Dorms: A Comprehensive Review of On-Campus Housing
Choosing the right dorm is a crucial part of the college experience. At Ithaca College, students have a variety of on-campus housing options, each offering a unique living environment. This article provides a comprehensive review of Ithaca College's dorms, drawing from student experiences and available resources to help prospective and current students make informed decisions about their housing.
Navigating the Housing Process
Ithaca College provides resources to guide students through the housing process. The Housing Portal, accessible through HomerConnect, is the central hub for completing important housing-related tasks.
The Housing Agreement outlines key information, including the college's three-year residency policy and expectations for on-campus living. Students are encouraged to read this document carefully.
The Housing Portal's "Timeline" feature highlights important dates and deadlines for all students, including new first-year students, new transfer students, and continuing upper-year students.
To aid in the process, Ithaca College offers resources such as videos and instructional guides, which can be found on the Housing Portal. These resources provide step-by-step instructions for submitting housing preferences and navigating the various stages of the housing selection process.
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Submitting Housing Preferences
The Housing Portal is used to submit housing preferences. This step is required before creating or joining a roommate group.
First-year students indicate their preferences for single or double rooms, keeping in mind that most first and second-year students live in double rooms. They also select their top four themed living preferences and indicate their interest in Residential Learning Communities (RLCs). First-year students also provide information about their gender identity and the preferred gender identity of their roommates and floormates.
Upper-year students can add their room location preferences. A minimum of four preferences must be submitted. The up/down arrows can be used to rank the preferences.
Students interested in living in an RLC are asked to provide a detailed reason for their interest in the community.
Roommate Groups and Block Housing
To request to live with a specific roommate, students must create a roommate group on the Housing Portal after submitting their housing preferences. The Group Leader creates the group and sends invitations to potential members.
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Block Housing groups can also be created through the Housing Portal. The process is similar to creating a roommate group, with a designated group leader inviting members to join.
Housing Assignments and Roommate Information
Housing assignments for the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters can be viewed on the Housing Portal under "My Housing for 202x-2x" (previously 'My Current Assignment'). This section also displays roommate information. Additional details about roommates can be accessed by clicking "View" at the bottom of the section.
A Look at the Dorms: Quads, Towers, Terraces, and More
Ithaca College offers a variety of housing options, each with its own unique characteristics. These include the Upper Quads, Lower Quads, Towers, Terraces, Emerson Hall, and the Circle and Garden Apartments.
Upper and Lower Quads
The Quads are a traditional dorm-style living option. First-year student Willa Sarcone, who lives in Hood Hall in Upper Quads, values the proximity to the Athletic Center. She notes that while moving in can be intimidating, friendships form quickly due to the close living quarters. Sarcone also mentions the stereotype that Upper Quads are considered better than Lower Quads.
Senior Robert Pucci agrees that Upper Quads are generally perceived as cleaner than Lower Quads. He notes that the rooms are small, but the cleaning staff does an excellent job.
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First-year student Sierra Harrison, who lives in Rowland Hall in Upper Quads, appreciates the peaceful environment and the proximity to parking lot A.
However, the Quads are not without their drawbacks. Bathrooms in the Lower and Upper Quads are often described as dated and not well-suited to the needs of residents. Complaints range from missing showerheads to see-through shower doors.
Towers
The Towers offer a different living experience. Pucci, who previously lived in West Tower, considers it his favorite dorm experience. He highlights the private bathrooms with locks as a major advantage.
Terraces
The Terraces provide a more independent living environment. Pucci, who currently lives in the Terraces, describes it as being in "your own bubble" on campus. Residents tend to be more independent and mind their own business. He chose the Terraces for the option of having a single room.
Other Options
The Circle and Garden Apartments are also available, although specific details about these options were not provided in the source material.
Student Concerns and Maintenance Issues
Some students have expressed concerns about the maintenance and cleanliness of Ithaca College's residence halls. Sophomore Grace Vanderveer writes about the dated condition of the dorms and the lack of adequate upkeep.
Reports of rodents, mice, and even mold in resident halls and apartments have surfaced. Vanderveer recounts an experience where her roommate found a mouse in their Terrace 11 room shortly after moving in, along with dressers full of dead insects.
Vanderveer also criticizes the condition of the bathrooms in the Lower and Upper Quads, citing issues such as missing showerheads and see-through shower doors. She notes that maintenance problems extend beyond bathrooms, including plumbing issues like leaking ceilings and showers that don't drain.
While the college provides a system for reporting maintenance issues, Vanderveer argues that it is not enough to address the underlying problem of deteriorating residence halls. She believes that the college's dorm rooms don't feel like home and that the living conditions are not acceptable for what students pay.
Ithaca College vs. Cornell University: A Tale of Two Campuses
The proximity of Ithaca College to Cornell University leads to some interesting dynamics. Richard Ballard, a junior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, reflects on the differences between the two schools.
Ballard notes that Ithaca College's community leans heavily toward the arts, particularly the Roy H. Park School of Communications and the music program. In contrast, Cornell has strong programs across a wide range of majors.
He also observes a perception gap between the two schools. Ithaca College students are often very aware of Cornell, while Cornell students may be less familiar with Ithaca College due to Cornell's global reputation and insularity.
Ballard raises the question of whether this disconnect can or should be resolved. He suggests that Cornell's prestige can sometimes overshadow Ithaca College, but that each school has its own unique strengths and identity.
Residential Advisors (RAs)
Residential Advisors (RAs) play an important role in dorm life. Sarcone appreciates her RA, who she says made the transition to college much easier.
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