Located in the middle of the corn fields of Indiana is situated a small little place called Purdue University. Okay, so maybe with it’s large student population it is a little bigger than first thought. Purdue University is my alma mater, just after four years of living there.
Unlike other students, my living situation was a little awkward due to the lack of on campus dormitories. My freshman year I started at PU started off with the acceptance letter into the university along with living information for on-campus. Unfortunately, that same year the college saw a large increase in students wanting to live on-campus. Traditionally, all freshmen were forced to live on campus in a dorm to assure the student was governed over for the first year. I guess it was supposed to both assure the parents their kids were safe and also to assure that the first year students were getting off on the right foot in college.
Since there was a large increase, there were not appropriate amounts of dorms available. Being that I was an out-of-state student, I was forced to live off campus since there were no dorms leftover. In-state students were given first priority, not sure why. So, that first year I lived in a house along with two other people. Then, after taking a year off to live in Japan I returned to PU to spend my second year in an apartment with a friend. Both years left a great impression since I had to juggle living off-campus and trying to gain strength as an adult on my own.
Finally in my third year, as a Junior I decided that I was going to live on campus. Although many people are not aware, there is a special dormitory called Hawkins International Graduate Dormitory. It is not well-known since it is usually available to international students at the university. The catch to living in this special dormitory is that the student must be a Junior, Senior or Graduate Student. Therefore, as a Junior I was eligible to live in this dorm, away from new students on campus.
Hawkins offered the best living conditions, compared to the house and apartment, which could have fallen into my hands. The dormitory is around thirteen floors high and located just across the street from the union (which is the most socially active place on campus). Some of the perks of living at Hawkins are:
1. There are no young students so the halls are usually quiet and clean.
2. The rooms come in either singles or doubles. Students can either chose a roommate or have one selected by the dormitory staff.
3. There are six rooms per floor that offer private bathrooms. I had this option for two years and it was absolutely wonderful!
4. Each floor has a private cleaning lady (not being sexist, they are all women) that will clean your room once a week. The floors will be swept, bathrooms cleaned, windows washed and so on. This is a free service!
5. Beds are provided along with sheets. Sheets can be picked up and exchanged for new sheets once a week. That means you do not have wash your own! This is a free service!
6. The rooms include all utilities for a minimal amount per month; it is much cheaper than a house or apartment.
7. T1 internet connection is available in each room for free.
8. Free local calling however long distance calling is given in bill form each month.
9. Each floor has an ironing board, small kitchen area with microwave and table.
10. Each floor two television rooms that are closed off and all residents have free access.
11. Each floor has a study room that can be accessed anytime of the day by your room key. Non-residents can not use these rooms.
12. The basement contains a full laundry room to wash clothes along with a study area and vending machines
13. Extra amenities unlike other dorms on campus are: private music room to practice if you are in the band, study rooms, two exercise rooms and a computer laboratory.
14. The dormitory is right across the street from all main buildings for classes. The other dorms are about half a mile from the nearest class.
15. There are elevators that actually work most of the time.
16. There is parking underground and above ground with an underground tunnel from the dorm to both areas. That means there is no walking outdoors when it is snowy.
17. The dormitory has a small store on the first floor that serves hot and cold foods.
18. The dormitory is right across the street from the main union. The dorm itself does not have a cafeteria however the union contains the largest one on campus.
19. There is an underground tunnel from the dorm to the parking garage and the union. It is easy and safe at nighttime, better than walking on-campus in the dark!
20. The dormitory is just a great escape from on-campus living while still being able to live on-campus.
For me, living at Hawkins International Graduate Dormitory was the best place to live on-campus or off-campus. After living in an expensive off-campus apartment and distant house off-campus, I would prefer to have stayed in Hawkins all four years. Unfortunately the dormitory only allows older students; when it is available though take advantage of the chance. I loved Hawkins and I am sure you will also! Go Boilermakers!
