Cook

Author: Katie Flagg

They do not have a dining hall. They do not have shiny new senior suites, nor do they have oh-so-funky architecture or state-of-the-art dorms. But despite Middlebury's craving for "quality senior housing," students in Cook Commons - affectionately, Cookers - are largely happy with both their Commons and their housing options. Cook is a tried and true choice for students grappling with Room Draw woes.



The Cook experience starts in Battell, where first-years reside in the Center and North wings of the largest first-year dorm of campus. Battell, admittedly, gets a bad rap - first-years in other commons routinely turn their noses up at the building, and residents will readily offer complaints. Battell has its drawbacks - rooms are cramped compared to other first-year dorms, and residents bemoan their dated bathrooms and the lack of quality lounge space. But living in the only hall on campus split between two commons is a unique experience. Many first-years enjoy the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the notoriously social dorm. "The halls are wide," said Lexie Fisher '08, "and everyone's doors stay open all of the time."



Cook sophomores traditionally choose to live in Pearsons Hall, located on the southwest edge of Battell Beach just a stone's throw from Cook's first-year digs. Home to 70 students, Pearsons is routinely praised for its lovely architecture - with ivy-covered walls and large staircases, it embodies the traditional college living experience. The large Pearsons lounge is routinely reserved for weekend parties though, causing first-floor residents the trials and tribulations of rowdy weekend evenings. But that just means that Pearsons, like Battell, boasts a social living atmosphere that appeals to many. "People living in doubles [in Pearsons] gave up the chance to live in singles," said Cook Commons Dean David Edelson, "because they loved the community in Pearsons. That is what college living is all about."



Forest Hall, located on College Street in the heart of campus, constitutes the majority of Cook's senior housing. Following the completion of Ross and Atwater senior suites, many students complained that Cook's senior housing options are sub-par. Forest, instead of boasting apartment-like suites, places students in connected singles. Students share a sink with one other resident in a unique "sink-mate" living arrangement. "You have a roommate, but you also have a single," explained J.S. Woodward '06, a residential assistant (RA) in Forest. "It's a beautiful thing."



Forest residents have their fair share of complaints. The 1936 residence hall has finicky heating, "funky lighting" and the doors - all fitted with transoms - allow sound to penetrate every room in the building. Some Forest residents also feel that a certain amount of awkwardness results from having College offices housed on the first floor of the building, adjacent to residences in both the east and west wings of the dorm. But overall, Forest residents are happy with their home. Rooms are spacious, and the dorm's central location is convenient for residents. Plus, as Forest resident Chris Pelliccia '07 would argue, "The ambience of the older dorms can't be beat." Forest is more "homey than all the new, bare dorms," according to senior Emily Hruby.



The main residence halls aside, the crown jewels of the Cook housing system are arguably the coveted College-owned houses scattered across campus. Seniors routinely draw into these houses, and occasionally sophomores and juniors are lucky enough to nab spaces. Fletcher House, Porter House and residences on College and Shannon Streets all provide the feel of off-campus housing while retaining a sense of connection to the College community. Cook houses offer spacious rooms, good facilities and warm, closely-knit communities. While the houses often sacrifice campus centrality for privacy, and while individual houses all have their quirks and shortcomings, students living in the houses are overwhelmingly happy with their living situations.



Cook doesn't have the "bells and whistles of the new dorms," as Commons Coordinator Amy Knapp put it, but the Commons does boast an impressive sense of community. Cook residents offer the best defense for their commons - the almost rapid devotion of some Cookers to their commons is a testament to the quality of their commons experience. Students polled raved about their Dean, their commons staff, and the overall Cook experience.



And Cook offers something that shiny new residence halls will never achieve - tradition. "I love Cook because it is still the 'old Middlebury' with old dorms that feel like college," agreed Edelson. "It's also in the heart of campus and convenient to everything, so even if they aren't yuppie apartments, they are great college digs."