More than a Place to Lay Your Head
Chapman University: Welcome to the Residence Resort We recently toured the residence facilities at Chapman University, a four-year private university located in the heart of Orange County, Calif. Along the way, we took a look at an impressive variety of housing options available, zeroed in on some of the lifestyle amenities students relish, and explored some innovative community-building programs that bring campus residents together around common interests.
First impressions always matter, and we were immediately struck by the architecture of Chapman's residence halls. Too many schools we've seen have dormitories that resemble minimum-security prisons; when you see the residence halls here, they strike you more like a resort community. Design details echo the iconic Chapman "window" logo, the colors are subtle and pleasing, and there's a sense of space and light that draws you in.
To sort out who lives where, we checked in with the Residence Life staff, and here's what we discovered: First-year students who choose to live on campus are all in traditional residence halls, while juniors, seniors and students over 21 can opt for on-campus apartments, residence halls or off-campus options.
"When you see the residence halls, they strike you more like a resort community."
So what are the accommodations like? We took a look inside Henley Hall, a hub of activity within Chapman accommodations, to get a feel.
By their very nature, residence rooms pose some design challenges, but the university has clearly made the most of the spaces. The rooms here are painted in mauve and off-white, adding a touch of warmth. Windows are positioned to let in as much natural light as possible. The extra-long twin beds are a nice touch, adding a vital bit of additional space to the spot students get their all-important rest.
Dressers, beds and desks are movable, and CU students are remarkably talented in configuring their rooms in a variety of ways—another nice nod to individualized living space. Oh, and the chairs roll, which you might not appreciate so much unless you've had one that didn't. Each room also has two phone lines and two data jacks, so access is not a problem (and yes, the residence halls are fully equipped with Wi-Fi as well).
In Henley, all the rooms have their own private bathrooms; it turns out that about half the residence hall rooms have this feature, while the other half share one bathroom between two rooms. All residence halls are coed (roommates are same gender), and they're all completely non-smoking.
While the individual housing choices may be the first thing that comes to mind when assessing a campus residence, for students the concept of "living quarters" has to encompass a far broader scene—after all, social activities are clearly key when it comes to an enjoyable college experience. A casual stroll through the residence areas at CU confirms these students aren't spending all their time sleeping and studying—not even close.
Outside, one group is working up a sweat in a coed game of pickup basketball, while others show off their sand-volleyball skills, several miles from the nearest beach. Students are scattered across grassy expanses in pairs or small groups, enjoying the year-round sun as they swap stories about classes or parties.
Several more students can be found indoors taking a break from the sun. In the brand-new Sandhu Residence Center, students demonstrate their athletic prowess, racing to the top of the indoor rock-climbing wall—which measures a towering 51 feet —with incredible agility. While inside the sparkling Cheverton Commons community area in Henley Hall—which all residence students have free access to—the competitive types are testing themselves in pool, ping-pong, air hockey, foosball and video games; the energy level is impressive. They take breaks at the on-site convenience store for drinks and snacks, or grab a caffeine fix at the coffee house.
Away from the buzz of the games, several students practice musical instruments in specially designed rooms equipped with digital keyboards, while others hit the books in concentration-quiet study rooms. In the media room, a group of laughing friends sprawls in comfy chairs, enjoying the latest cult TV hit on the large-screen, surround sound system. At the fitness center, partners spot each other on weights while others get in vigorous workouts on the aerobic equipment.
Of course, not all are lulled by the leisurely entrapments of this resort-like community. Several students just pulled out of the centrally located parking structure reserved for residents use. Perhaps they're making the quick drive to nearby Disneyland for an evening of fun.
From an observer's point of view, the dilemma here is how to fit all the fun in around classes, meals and a good night's sleep. Good dilemma to have, though.
Before we concluded our visit, we stopped to talk to a few students about the different housing programs in which they're involved. At Pralle-Sodaro Hall, we chatted with several first-year students who are grouped in housing according to their academic program.
Later, back at Sandhu, we found out about Learning Living Communities. Students can pick a community – sustainability, outdoor expeditions, global village, entrepreneurship, arts, film and media – and not only live near like-minded people, but also take part in workshops, discussions, trips and social events built around their theme.
While we were only on campus for a matter of hours, we came away a little bit dizzy. With the inviting settings, the variety of housing options, the array of amenities, the opportunity to interact with fellow students socially, athletically or around specific topics... it was a lot to take in. But honestly: We'd like to try.
