By Jax Johnson
Fall semester has come to Houghton University and students have settled into their respective housing locations. While every year brings new beginnings, this year provided more than previous years with the dorm changes for the ‘22 -’23 academic year. Due to the renovations in Shenawana, Lambein has been temporarily converted into a men’s dorm, which, in turn, has made Gillette the only women’s dorm this year.
Students like sophomore Jacob Holmberg are happy with these changes, saying, “Lambien is an upgrade to Roth. The rooms are bigger, there’s more storage, and the showers are twice as big. It’s also nice not having to walk up Roth hill every day. It makes me understand why girls outweigh the guys here at Houghton.”
Others like junior Sarah Rider, a previous Lambein resident, are embracing their new home. Rider discussed that she has enjoyed events such as the Great Gillette Race and the overall liveliness that comes with the new combined women’s dorm.
“I have been so grateful to have been invited into the Gillette community and really like having all the girls living in one dorm,” she said “It feels more full in there and there are more people around and opportunities to do things with others.”
Senior Izzy Murch, who was previously a resident assistant in Lambein and is now a Gillette RA, has bittersweet feelings toward the transition.
“While I was initially pretty sad about moving to Gillette my senior year after living in Lambein for the last three, I’ve found that the ability to connect with all on-campus women in the same residence hall has been incredibly rewarding and fun,” she said. “Living in a new place has kept the RA position fresh for me and has given me the opportunity to work with 13 amazing women, which would have never happened if I still lived in Lambein. I still miss my creekside view, though!”
Senior Kathryn Groff, another Gillette RA who has moved over from Lambein, has shared her thoughts on her new experiences.“It definitely is a learning experience having lived in Lambein the past three years, but it’s wonderful to have previous Gillette RAs lead the way and with such patience,” Groff said “Additionally, it is an exciting opportunity as an RA to have all the women in one residence hall and focus in on what brings us together women at Houghton, and cultivating a unique culture for future generations of women who come to campus.”
Resident Director of Gillette Hall Reagan Zelaya also expressed her excitement for Gillette’s changes by saying that she is loving the opportunity to experience the unique culture of all of the women on campus, and is hoping that this experience can display a sense of unity without the division between Lambein and Gillette.
While the change in dorms has been an adjustment, it is also an opportunity for students to experience something new. Along with those new experiences are new dynamics created through different people living in a community.★
