Dave Castle
Staff Reporter
“Where am I going to live next year?” is a big question that every McDaniel student asks his or herself around this time of year, especially the Upperclassmen who have the largest variety of options. Before deciding precisely where to live, there is a decision within the decision that needs to be made: Should I live On Campus, or Off?
There are many pros and cons when weighing the two options. Leah Beck ’09, who is living off campus for her first time in her four years at McDaniel, has found the absence of late night dorm noise and bustle beneficial on weeknights when she has to check in early in order to wake up on time for her student teaching internship. Although she admits that living off campus can at times put her out of the loop, the social accountability provided by her sorority sisters has prevented her from feeling ostracized from the on campus community.
Although students can often save money by moving off campus and cutting out the room and board fee from their tuitions, many find the money saved not worth the headache involved with securing a place, managing the upkeep, and paying monthly utility costs which have steeply risen in the past three years. When considering how many battles have been fought in the Residence Life Office by underclassmen trying desperately to obtain off campus status, many will find it ironic that after being granted permission to move off, Maggie Kirwan ’10, found herself fighting to redeem her on campus status. The issue has since been resolved, but when a lease she intended to sign fell through, Maggie found herself without a campus housing deposit turned in and for a time it looked as though she would be homeless for the ’09-’10 school year.
As mentioned before, many underclassmen find themselves frustrated when denied permission to move off campus. When I spoke with Dean Mellar ’11 about his request’s denial he compared my reminding him to salt being poured on a wound. He was looking forward to moving into an off campus house on Main St. next year, however due to these tough economic times and the College’s uncertainty as to the size of next year’s incoming Freshman class the school has determined the task of filling every room on campus next year top priority.
Moving off campus is not the prerogative of every McDaniel student. Brian Compher ’09 is a seasoned dorm life veteran. After a year in Rouzer, and a two year stint in Blanche , Brian finds himself relieved to wake up every morning in his North Village apartment. Seeing as how he will be paying cable and electric bills for the rest of his life, Brian would much rather dedicate his budget to the demands of fine collegiate living and put off the responsibility of utility fees for one more year.
One happy home off campus is inhabited by three students who consider themselves more of a family than anything else. Bill Warner ’08, a graduate student, has stuck around McDaniel to play lacrosse, receive his masters, and also to live one more year with Chris Gore ’10 and Gibbs Preston ’10. This is his second year living with Preston, and third with Gore, whom by graduation will have lived off campus all four years here at McDaniel. The trio feels has remained well connected with the on campus community however they do enjoy the independence that comes along with living off campus. In celebration of that independence, last year the three gentlemen decided to adopt a kitten, Spike Jones, whom they have raised and watched grow into a fine young cat. Although Warner will be missed next semester, Preston, Gore, and Jones are looking forward to keeping the same house and filling it with another year’s worth of fond memories.
There are many differing opinions on the issue of on vs. off campus living. However, the general consensus seems to feel that the real question isn’t where to live, but rather who to live with. As Chris Gore so eloquently put it, “it’s not so much where you are coming home to after class, but more importantly who you are coming home to, and at the end of the day that’s what really matters.”