Trying to decide on residence at Western

[TimNDansMom]

Dan is now at the point of filling out the online residence application (deposit has been received) and putting the residences in order of preference. He's undecided at the moment.

I told him that Perth had been suggested here on the boards. The dining and snack facilities are open just like the other traditional style residences. Are there other benefits at Perth?

His friend stayed at Essex and was able to prepare some foods in the kitchen in the suites and took the smallest meal plan.

Essex and Elgin (suite style) are single rooms while Perth offers both single and double. He's not sure whether he wants a room mate or not.

We are thinking of the smallest meal plan, (especially if he goes for a suite style residence) and topping up as necessary because he will probably be coming home most weekends.

If he goes with a traditional style residence, we'll rent a fridge for his room (have to find out rental cost or can we buy one instead?) so he can keep snacks, drinks, bread (he loves peanut butter and honey sandwiches) in it.

We have only looked through Delaware Hall at an open house a couple of years ago and we really liked it then, but now he's got "other ideas". Delaware would be cheaper than Perth or Essex but I want him to be in a good place. Delaware is also close to the MIT building (Middlesex College)

Saugeen-Maitland would definitely be at the end on the list. He heard a story from a friend at Western, that while the RA was away, students on the quiet floor turned their hallway into a big slip n' slide!

If anyone has any thoughts or advice, I'd really appreciate it. I'm wondering if we could go to Western and see the other residences. I'm going to call tomorrow for more info, too.

 

[DSNY FN]

Julie let him stay @ Saugeen come on he will love it.

 

[Katdb]

Originally posted by TimNDansMom
If he goes with a traditional style residence, we'll rent a fridge for his room (have to find out rental cost or can we buy one instead?) so he can keep snacks, drinks, bread (he loves peanut butter and honey sandwiches) in it.

As I don't go to Western, I can't give you any advice re dorms, but I can definitely give you some advice regarding the fridge. Firstly, don't rent one (they charge an arm and a leg, and once you're done paying, you have nothing to show for it). Check out future shop etc. when the sales go on, and you can get some good deals. I payed $45 less on the fridge then if I had rented it, and that's only the first year!!! and now I have a fridge for the remainder of my schooling! The fridge was wonderful to have in my room last year, and helped to save money as I could keep left-overs.

Hope that helps
Katdb

 

[Debbie]

Sounds like you have a good handle on 'em, Julie. Nancy will be back tonight and may be able to help out somewhat. My DD is still trying to decide between Windsor and Western. We've decided on the rez if Windsor, and at Western, she'll probably choose Delaware first (music floor), Perth second, and after that : Now, if she could just commit!!!

 

[NancyK]

Hi Julie,
I'm back from a fabulous trip! My DS was an off-campus soph for Perth Hall last year and is head soph for the upcoming year. He stayed in Westminster College his first year at university. Here's his take on it for you.

Delaware is very close to Middlesex College. It's an older building, but the plumbing is being replaced. Each room has its own electric heating. He's been told that in spite of that there really isn't any temperature control - the heat is either on or off. Delaware's dining hall was refurbished a couple of years ago.

Perth Hall (naturally the first choice of my DS ) Yes it's more expensive. It was brand new last year for the double cohort. The snack bar is open later than the other residences. Each suite has its own bathroom, shower and storage closet. Heating is digitally controlled and there is air conditioning. Rooms are of a decent size. If you go for a single room, you will share your suite with one other single room. If you go for a double then you will share your suite with 3 others, but your suite will also have a kitchen sink, shelves and cupboards. Everything is keycard access, and the washers and dryers are only a year old. Close to 24 hour Beckers and Subway, but further from most buildings on campus.

As for the suite style, DS has never stayed in suite style, but the cafeteria's have fewer hours and aren't open on weekends. You have your own bathroom to share with 3 others and a kitchen and livingroom, however, this tends to segregate you from the rest of the residence. Most students want suite style coming in, but most (even suite style) agree that traditional style is better at the end of the year, due to the closer community and involvement.

My DS helped me do this post. Hope it helps!
Nancy

 

[TimNDansMom]

Yeah right Darren! LOL

Thanks for the info everyone!

Nancy, with Perth probably being Dan's first choice, what order would your son have put the other traditional residences, in relation to the suite style residences? If he chose a double room at Perth would he automatically be given a single room if that was all that was available at Perth? Also, we didn't realize that Alumni House was available to all students. He would have to go over to Elgin or Medway-Sydenham for the meal plan though. There's also a kitchen like in Essex and Elgin. What does your son think about Alumni House? Is Perth the only one with air conditioning? That would certainly be a plus! Do all the buildings have washers and dryers? (I'm sure Dan will be bringing his laundry home though! ) Lots of questions, I know!

I called Western and he can make as many changes as he wants to his online Residence Placement Questionaire up until June 14, so that was good to hear.

 

[mbb]

MANY years ago, and stayed at Alumni House...and LOVED it!

The great thing about a "traditional"res is for a first year student, they can't be beat for a social atmosphere, no winking or nudging

For a young person that may have difficulty, or need to be "coaxed" to be involved in social activities, it may be tough for them to stay in a more "solitary" house...just my thoughts

And there is AC at Alumni House...

Let us know!!

 

[DSNY FN]

Oh Julie come on now you now you really really want to see him stay at Saugeen it will help him blossom into a great student at Western.

 

[NancyK]

Hi Julie,
My DS says that the single rooms go before the double rooms. Air conditioning is only relevant for two weeks out of the year. By the end of September, it isn't needed anymore. All the buildings have washers and dryers.
Alumni House isn't particularly close to Middlesex College, but it is a pretty walk. The residents of Alumni House don't seem to get as involved in activities as the rest of the residences.

Here's the order Matt would choose: 1)Perth 2)Westminster College (very small and picturesque - Matt stayed here first year - it's second closest to Middlesex College - about a five minute walk) 3) Medway-Sydenham (Med-Syd has the most pride of all the residences - everyone knows that Med-Syd is the coolest residence - wrought-iron gates, courtyards, castle-like) 4) Delaware - closest to Middlesex College 5)Essex 6) Elgin 7) Alumni 8) Saugeen-Maitland

****Matt says to stress that these are his preferences and that Dan needs to make up his own mind***** No matter where he ends up, he will be happy! (Even Saugeen!) *** Matt also stresses that if he were taking MIT he would probably move Delaware higher up the list.
Dan's going to have a great time no matter what!
Hope this helps - and doesn't make it more confusing.

 

[TimNDansMom]

Tell Matt "thanks", Nancy. At the moment Dan has submitted Perth, Delaware, Elgin, Essex, Westminster, Med-Syd, Alumni and Saugeen. He said he "might" consider switching Elgin and Essex for Westminister and Med-Syd but likes the Elgin and Essex interior styles better.

 

[Jo-Anne]

Ok, sounds like a lot has changed in the past....21 years or so In 1982-83, I stayed in Westminster my first year and had a really good time! Had friends at Saugeen (The Zoo - do they still call it that) and Deleware. We then moved off campus to townhouse area called Limberlost (Liverlost). I think I'd better stay out of any recommendations as it sounds like there have been a few changes along the way Jo

 

[DSNY FN]

Yes Jo-Anne it is still called the ZOO not by many but it is still called that.

 

[TimNDansMom]

That's exactly why I hope Dan doesn't get assigned a room at Saugeen and I don't think living at the "Zoo" appeals to him either. But I guess we'll have to take what he is given.

 

[maryliz]

Yep ... the ZOO it will always be! I like the "Liverlost" one

Julie ... it'll all work out. When Matt was going into first year, he was actually assigned Saugeen but received a call in August asking him if he wanted to switch to Westmin. Things always have a way of working out. What an exciting and stressful time for these kids ... and their parents

Mary Liz

 

[damo]

We're doing exactly the same thing!!!! I think my daughter's first choice is Perth. She loves the suite style but has heard the same comments about it just not being the same. We have looked at each residence and basically decided that what you get is what you get. Since she is going into music, everyone recommends Deleware so of course that will be one of her last choices! Saugeen really doesn't look that bad. One of her good friends had put Saugeen down as her last choice last year and that is exactly where she ended up. She didn't mind it at all.

I think her choices will be Perth, Elgin, Essex, Medway-Sydenham, Delaware, Saugeen-Maitland, Westminster, Alumni.

I thought Alumni was quite ugly. Perth is lovely.

 

[dsneygirl]

Originally posted by TimNDansMom



Saugeen-Maitland would definitely be at the end on the list. He heard a story from a friend at Western, that while the RA was away, students on the quiet floor turned their hallway into a big slip n' slide!

This happened to me while I was an RA at WLU but I was sleeping downstairs at the time! Boys will be boys and throw in a little beer on a Saturday night and voila!