The ins and outs of ‘dorming it’
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Ah, the dorms. If you’ve chosen one of the UI’s residence halls as your new home this year, you’ve probably never lived in such proximity with someone you don’t know. But it’s the all about the experience, students say.
East side
UI student Gus Gustafson will live in Burge again as a sophomore. He said he enjoys its cafeteria, movie-rental service, study lounges, and laundry rooms. Even more, it’s close, cutting down on transportation time to Pentacrest classes, he said.
“It has been a good experience, and I’ve met a lot of new people, many who are living here again next year,” Gustafson said. “It has helped me acclimate to college life.”
West side
Some students opt to live on the West Campus, just across the Iowa River.
UI student Danielle Korthals said she chose Rienow because the area is a little quieter.
The benefits of the West Side are that you’re close to the Field House, Carver, and Kinnick, and the central campus isn’t far away.” she said. “But it’s not right next to it, so you’re not always at school, and you can get away from it.”
RAs
The floor you live on has a resident assistant to keep watch over you, planning group events and making sure you’re not breaking rules.
According to the University Housing guidebook, major violations include possession and consumption of alcohol or drugs, physical or sexual assault, possession of firearms, and intentionally pulling the fire alarms.
Penalties range from monetary fines to expulsion from the dorms, so know the rules and consequences.
Rienow RA Beth Figura said she didn’t have much trouble with her floor, and she was also responsible for planning events — which could be bingo, spa, or open-mike nights — for her residents and just being there when they needed her.
“Sometimes, girls just need to vent,” she said. “I’m there for that.”
Check out http://housing.uiowa.edu/prosres/index.htm for more information on the residence halls — especially what officials recommend bringing with you.
How to get along with a roommate
• Communicate. If there’s a problem, talk about it — and early on — and discuss ways to fix it.
• Compromise. Don’t expect everything to go in your favor. Sometimes, you’ll have to reach an agreement that you can both live with.
• Be considerate. Have reasonable consideration for the other person’s feelings.
• Follow the rules set by your RA. This way, neither person feels responsible for telling on the other, and no one will get in trouble.
Students on dorm living:
“First, I wasn’t sure about living on the West Side because it’s far. But it’s kind of like its own little world.”— UI student Jessica Mucha
“Sometimes you just have to get away from your roommate. Go to the library. Go to the lounge.”— UI student Danielle Korthals
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