In this article, I go over reasons why I think newer dorms should cost more than older dorms. If you live in these newer dorms I believe there should be a small increase in the room and board fee, specifically dorm buildings Kalperis and Chu Hall. 

As a first-year student, many are moving in with nerves of making new friends and making their dorm their new home. But a question I saw myself and a lot of others answering is how did I end up in the dorm building I did. For context, I live in Page Hall which according to past students on The Bates Student is “kind of beat”. The shower could use an update, especially the fourth floor because that tub is a bit concerning. Similarly the laundry room, there are almost two washers and two dryers broken at all times. Lets just say Page has some character and is rustic. 

When I came back from AESOP and found out one of my fellow AESOPers was in Kalperis I was immediately intrigued to see her dorm. I heard all around campus that they looked like a Marriott hotel room and they had air conditioning. Not only do they have super modern bathrooms and a laundry room double the size of Page, but they also have a variety of other amenities that don’t even come close to any of the other out of date dorms. I knew I was in luxury right away when we could actually take the elevator rather than Page where it is only used for heavy lifting. 

When I found out about the AC, I was genuinely shocked we are paying the same tuition. I am literally using my Woozoo on full blast all night while my friends at Kalperis and Chu don’t even need to purchase a system themselves. Similarly, the keys. I have to carry a normal key that I would have for my front door at my house at home. Whereas in Kalperis and Chu you just swipe your student ID and put in a little code and it is no frills. Likewise, they never have to worry about dripping water all over their dorm when coming back from the shower because they have the convenience of shower cubbies. I could go on and on about the discrepancy within the first-year dorms. 

In the coming years I think there should be an option to be placed in those dorms. You should have to pay a small fee in order to live there because it comes with those perks of AC, accessible key card access, shower cubbies, etc. If you want luxury at Bates you have to pay the price.