Kent’s main campus has 25 residence halls, each unique in its own way. These buildings are divided into five main areas: the Quad, Eastway, Tri-Towers, Centennial Courts and Twin Towers.

The Quad

The Quad is made up of Lake, Olson, Stopher and Johnson halls and is located on the Esplanade across from Bowman Hall, making it the group of residence halls closest to the university’s academic buildings. Olson is the College of Communication and Information hall. A majority of the students who live here are majoring in one of the four schools of CCI: Communication Studies, Visual Communication Design, Journalism and Mass Communication and Library and Information Science.

On a normal night, you will see many students designing and writing in the studio located on the first floor. The creativity and energy flows throughout the room as they exchange ideas and banter with one another. There is a sense of community and camaraderie between the students on each floor.

Shelby McMillin, junior fashion merchandising major, is living in Olson for the second year and said the family feel hasn’t changed.

“Everyone is real friendly and close,” she said. “It is an artistically nurturing environment.”

That same sense of community is present in Lake Hall, the exploratory residence hall. Although some floors haven’t adopted an open door policy, the hall still shares a communal feel.

Adri Montes, sophomore history education major, said she enjoys living in Lake and feels that a sense of community exists.

“Living in Lake is great. The neighbors are polite, diligent about their studies and make wonderful food that travels through the halls — they will even offer you some,” she said.

Stopher/Johnson, the Honors College residence halls, have a slightly different feel, although it’s not one you would expect of the university’s brightest students. While there are some students who do choose to keep more to themselves, many groups of students can be found hanging out in the second floor bridge lounge, making food in the kitchen or going out on the weekends.

Camden Fullmer, junior computer science major, is living in Johnson for the second year and said he doesn’t like the stereotype associated with the honors residence halls.

“We do have a good community among the people on our floors,” he said. “Just because we’re smart doesn’t mean we’re all anti-social or nerds.”

Eastway

Fletcher, Manchester, Allyn and Clark halls make up Eastway, which is commonly known as the “first year experience” hall. Its main appeal is the convenient market and dining hall located in the building. Eastway is one of the more lively halls on campus.

The many spacious lounges make it easy for friends to gather together. On a typical night, it is not uncommon for people to walk into a room with its door open and jump into a conversation about the night’s plans. The students are friendly and invite one another to dinner, bowling or whatever other planned event is going on that evening.

Kayla Bissler, freshman computer science major, said she thinks that Eastway is the most personable residence hall.

“Everyone’s real nice and open,” she said. “I’m glad I live here.”

Tri-Towers

Tri-Towers is widely known for Rosie’s Diner’s food delivery. The extensive lounge area in the rotunda unites the three buildings and is a popular spot for students during the week and on the weekends as well. The Tech Spot, math tutoring and a computer lab round off the list of appealing amenities available to the students.

Melissa Soss, freshman nursing major, lives in Koonce and said that Rosie’s is the most popular spot.

“Everyone who lives in Tri never need(s) to go anywhere else. Everything we need is here,” Soss said. “Since many students come to Rosie’s, it’s an easy way to meet people.”

The three halls, Wright, Leebrick and Koonce, are diverse within each respective building. For example, In Leebrick Hall, which has a total of 12 floors comprised of single rooms, gamers utilize many of the lounges.

The rooms in Tri-Towers are significantly smaller than the others, so, in a way, it forces the students to interact with one another in the sizable lounges. The students have a genuine connection with one another.

A.J. Schehr, sophomore exploratory major, said that having a single room doesn’t impede on his sociability.

“It’s nice having your own space,” Schehr said. “You can always have alone time, but you can go to the lounge to hang out and be social. It’s a nice balance.”

Centennial Courts

The Centennial Courts are commonly known as more upscale living arrangements. The courts are mainly for upperclassmen, but some freshmen are allowed to live in certain courts. These halls seem to be some of the most quiet on campus.

In the evenings, the halls are silent, and almost every door is closed on every floor.

Taylor Helfant, sophomore fashion merchandising major, prefers the Centennial Courts to her previous living arrangements.

“Living in Centennial F has been a real great experience compared to living in Eastway last year,” she said. “It’s a lot quieter and cleaner, and the people who live here seem to be overall more mature. I do think there is less of a sense of community in the Centennial (halls) compared to Eastway, though, because everybody has their own bathroom in their own room so you only really ever need to go out of your room if you’re leaving.”

Despite the closed off-nature of most of the Centennials, students can be found studying, playing ping-pong, watching TV or just hanging out.

Twin Towers

Twin Towers is considered to have the most mature student population. Although Beall and McDowell have a mixture of sophomores, juniors and seniors, it definitely has an older feel. Many of the students know the policies and procedures of living in the halls, and they willingly comply with them.

Nick McCaulley, senior integrated health studies major, said that Beall is the ideal place to live for the studious student.

“Beall is similar to the Centennials. People aren’t as social because you don’t share as much space,” he said. “Although everyone is nice, since mainly upperclassmen live here, they already have established a core group of friends. You don’t get to know many new people unless you make the effort.”

The rooms have their own sitting area and shared bathrooms as well, so not many residents make use of the main floor lounges.

Quinn Hull, senior English major, lives in Beall and said that although it’s quieter than most halls, everyone is neighborly.

“I know my neighbors, and I say hi to the people I see,” he said. “It’s not as quiet as it may seem.”

Contact Whitney Gibson at [email protected].