Dorms Develop Distinct Identities

By MARY LOCKE

Walking through the campus of the Advanced Studies Program (ASP), it is common to see groups of students yelling chants or making coordinated hand gestures; in addition, there are poems, songs, and letters to go along with the different symbols of representation associated with each dormitory. These are just some of the telling signs of the growing feeling of internal bonds and kinship in houses; though not always tangible or definable, this camaraderie and group spirit are undeniably evident.

Elizabeth Cubberley, a World Religions student in Conover-20 commenting on her dorm’s somewhat inconspicuous sense of pride, said “We just don’t do the same things . . . but we all got ready for the square dance together. We just have a different way of showing pride than some of the other dorms.” And what she says really explains it: every dorm has a distinct way to express and build their identity and unification.

Many dorms work in a variety of ways to further their overall sense of togetherness. Cubberley said, “(One student) brought us popsicles and (another) brought us strawberry shortcake, which I think brings us together.”

Sean Themea, a student in Shakespeare for Performance a resident of North House, said, “we have Fidel (Rodriguez, the dorm’s House Supervisor), who’s pretty much the man; he brings spirit to the dorm. We definitely embrace the spirit of being part of North.” On the pride of the dorm, Themea said, “we became proud of who we are as a dorm because we became close.” Residents in Brewster believe that the capes that they all possess helped further their relationship as a dorm. Even without the capes, they believe that they would be close, but the common thread helps to develop a dorm identity connecting everyone.

Some argue that displays of dorm affection are simply meant to show off to other dorms, but Brewster resident and Biomedical Ethics student Noah Bunnell) said that, “in part that is true, but it’s less important than how it makes us feel.” Competition, though, plays a large role in life at ASP, especially among the male dorms. Tyler Johnson, a student in Ancient Greece and resident of Nash House, said that “it’s being young adults here that we identify with each other. We’re all the same age. We have a lot of testosterone running through our veins. We have this confidence and swag(ger) that makes us want to be the best there is.” ASP Assistant Director Kolby Hume said that, during her time associated with the program, competition has grown, sometimes even creating an environment with “negative interactions.”

A common thread running among the minds here at the ASP is that the interns really make the dorm experience. Hume said that “the interns are solely responsible for the community within a dorm.” Bunnell reinforced this point, saying that “the interns took the initiative to cultivate the right environment” and buy the capes, the feathers, and the glasses that the boys have adopted as their “uniform.” Interns have also encouraged the Simpson boys to make a flag and supported the Wing girls as they followed through with their flash mob. Hume rightfully believes that the interns want to make the experience for the students the experience which ASP was to them.

Various dorms have chants and sayings often used in the presence of others. Johnson said that Nash “keeps it simple” by chanting “‘Nash, Nash, Nash…etc.’” North, enduring a controversy over both their saying and catch phrase, does not currently feature a distinction beside their sword “that (they) carry wherever (they) go,” according to Themea. It is a common occurance to hear ‘Whaddup, Middle’ cheered by residents of Middle House, while Brewster identifies with the rooster and also started the bandana trend. Even in those houses where their dorm pride is not as conspicuous, the dorm identity remains solidly in place.

“I think it’s important for each dorm to have its own identity because it allows for them to come together. They can’t let a little friendly competition get in the way of other friendships,” said Bunnell. The dorms all certainly do have their own identities and ways, but it certainly shouldn’t lead beyond purely friendly competition, enjoyment for all, and the pride of being a part of what they are.