Each of MSU’s five undergraduate dorm complexes offers a unique environment to the students residing there. From infamous, freshmen-dominated Brody Complex to the quieter, more scenic West Circle, student dorm life experiences will vary notably according to the dorm they select.
Brody Complex
Just about everyone has something to say about Brody Complex, whether they’re commenting on the noise level, the number of freshmen or simply sighing with relief that they’ve never lived there.
But to some who call Brody home, even coming back from break to find a hole punched in the wall doesn’t detract from its appeal.
“(The hole) was cool. (Brody’s) really nice socially,” economics sophomore Ben Bradburn said. “You get to see six different dorms at one time in the cafeteria. … I like it a lot.”
And to some freshmen living in other dorms, the Brody Complex, which hosts the world’s largest non-military cafeteria, represents an ideal place to live.
“Pretty much everyone on my floor is upperclassmen; it’s not really like Brody where everyone’s doors are open and people are trying to make friends,” said freshman Maria Loria, who lives in Wonders Hall.
West Circle Neighborhood
Of all the dorms on campus, beautiful West Circle could easily be called most charming. With its ivy-covered halls and Gothic architecture, MSU’s oldest complex is home to mostly upperclassmen.
“Residents seem to be over the initiation of starting college and making stupid decisions,” said Shannon Jodoin, who lived in West Circle for the past two years and now works at its front desks. “It’s rare that you wake up to vomit on the floor.”
Halls are quieter and residents are more focused on studying, Jodoin said.
“A dorm is a dorm — people are going to play loud music and drink everywhere. But this complex is really conducive to studying,” she said.
Red Cedar Neighborhood
Red Cedar Neighborhood, likely best known for its newly renovated cafeteria in Snyder-Phillips Hall, houses honors floors as well as the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. The more traditional collegiate-style building somewhat resembles West Circle in its appearance, and features a volleyball and basketball court and a patio for seating outside the cafeteria.
Residents of the complex commented on the feeling of familiarity and friendliness of their neighbors.
“It’s a smaller atmosphere (and) more of a community here,” political theory and constitutional democracy senior Kevin Painter said. “When you see someone here, even if you don’t know their name, you recognize their face.”
Shaw Hall
Though Shaw Hall is considered part of the Red Cedar Neighborhood, it almost is its own entity. In previous years, students slept outside in the winter to claim a room in Shaw Hall. For some, the primarily upperclassmen-populated building’s central location along the Red Cedar River make reserving a room worth the campout. The hall boasts hot tubs and TV screens in the bathrooms, but residents say the community is more divided.
“The one thing that really sucks is no one really talks to each other,” marketing freshman Janice Ebert said. “It’s really cliquey.”
Students often move in with a set of friends and leave with that same set, communication senior Tiffany Fowler said.
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“People are friendly, but it’s not like you’re about to go hang out,” she said. “We’re polite.”
South Neighborhood
To Holmes Hall resident Chad Payne, South Neighborhood represents prettier girls, more athletic guys and more outgoing people in general.
“South seems like more of a partier area,” he said.
And while South Neighborhood does house many athletes, residents of South Neighborhood said the group of four suite-style dorm buildings is just as focused on studying — that there’s a healthy balance between the two.
“We’re all different types of people,” landscape architecture freshman Cameron Horvath said. “A couple people like to play video games all the time, some study all the time, some are religious. … People are pretty much friends with everybody.”
East Neighborhood
East Neighborhood houses the transfer and international student hall McDonel Hall, Lyman Briggs residence hall Holmes Hall, four-person dorm Akers Hall, as well as Hubbard Hall.
While many students complain about its distant location, before it became impossible to sit down in Snyder-Phillips during lunch hour, the cafeterias in East Neighborhood were worth the walk. And the complex is conveniently located near party-hub Cedar Village.
“There’s lots of partying,” Payne said. “It’s college.”
Maybe too much partying.
“Floor vandalism is popular (in Holmes). Within two days, bulletin boards are down,” he said. “Last week, a kid drew Hitler mustaches everywhere. … But we’re a lot more studious.”
Psychology senior and former McDonel Hall resident Ashley Lee agreed, adding that people were mostly outgoing and friendly, and that the level of partying was likely no more than any other complex.
