BEU

MOTHERS WEEKEND OPINION COLUMN Don’t bash the dorms -— they’re not all that bad

by Sarah Beu BEU02002@BYUI.EDU Dorm Girl Forever

Years from now, when I look back at my experience here at BYU-Idaho, I’ll never forget certain things: my friends, classes, the Scroll and living in the dorms. The dorms, you say? Why would I ever want to remember clean checks, bicycle horns honking to kick out boys, dorm prayer and Nazi RAs?

I am not crazy or insane, let me assure you. I am well aware of the stigma associated with living in the dorms.

For example, some have a hard time with the tough adherence to the rules and the horrid “white glove” cleaning at the end of the semester. For others, it seems like living in the dorms is close to being baby-sat.

For those who have heard the horror stories of living in the dorms, you were misinformed. Those people were suffering from “leaving the homey and fun atmosphere of the dorms” syndrome. Please excuse them and let me set the record straight.

First of all, the rules are the same everywhere, on or off campus. The difference is that we who live on campus actually stick to them. I know that people who live off campus keep the rules too. I also know that there are some who live in the dorms who don’t follow the guidelines, but for the most part, everyone keeps the rules.

Very rarely will there be many problems, but I never have had a roommate smuggle a boyfriend into her room in the back, or can’t sleep because everyone out in the courtyard is screaming and running around (quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, all day Sunday).

Those who can’t keep the rules are more likely to hate living in the dorms because the rules in the dorms are enforced.

Second, I want to address the “quarantined” rule (this is when you can’t have any guys in your apartment for a week because while they were there, less than two lights are on, blinds are down or less than three people are in the apartment).

I admit I have had my fair share of weeks being “Q’d,” but I understand the principle that goes with it. It is like any commandment that God gives us; it’s a protection. It keeps bad things from happening when your blinds are down or lights are off. I count myself lucky that the administration cares so much about us to have those rules to keep us safe. Oh, and they’ve quit honking the horn or ringing the cowbell to kick the guys out, so I hope that puts another hole in your ever-increasing strained argument.

For most of you, you will never live in the dorms. You will never have pillow fights in your dorm bedroom that end with a broken tooth. You will never have a tickle fight in your dorm living room and land on your roommate’s cactus. You will never try to squeeze through the bars in your bunk bed. But you’ll still have memorable experiences in your own off-campus apartment. Just don’t bash or have pity on those who live in the dorms. We love it here!