Opinion: The apocalypse of communal living
A review of the Quad experience after my first couple months at Barnard.
Artwork by Kathy Cao/The Barnard Bulletin
By Vivian Lin
November 13, 2024
I often stroll through the beautiful Barnard College campus admiring the picturesque views of people lying on the sunlit grass of Futter Field and the world-renowned buildings that make up what we call home. Yet, as I walk into the fourth floor of Sulzberger Hall, I always seem to catch a whiff of a stench roaming around the hallways. It’s sour, sweaty, and oddly sweet—it’s horrific. This is the first time many first-years have been forced to share utilities, however, despite different backgrounds, we as a community must work together to make our new home a healthy, liveable space, so people don’t have to gag and plug their noses just to walk down our hallway.
Lounges
The lounges are a versatile space — somewhere students can talk, take a quick Zoom meeting or call, or cook ramen. However, it becomes less versatile when people decide to leave food out to rot and spill mysterious liquids, only to not clean up after themselves.
“The lounge, specifically the 6th floor, is consistently flooded with bowls, plates, and utensils, all covered with remnants of a past cooking project,” said Xuyin Zhong (BC ‘28). This, as well as the rotting food left out on the tables, contribute to the unique funky smell spreading across every floor and just an overwhelming unpleasant living experience.
Bathrooms
The bathroom — where do I even begin? One early morning, I was welcomed by vomit in the sink and a mound of wet paper towels piled by the trash can. Not only is it extremely disrespectful to fellow floormates, but it also creates more work for the maintenance staff who have to clean up after us daily.
“Be comfortable, but be conscious that [the bathrooms are] communal,” said Emily Kim (BC ‘28). “I understand that people want to have fun, but please don’t do things you wouldn’t do in your home.” I’m sure everyone would appreciate it if people could be more mindful and pick up their hair and wet paper towels just as they would in their bathrooms, so we can all live more comfortably together in the future.
I often notice that some students take an overwhelmingly long time in the shower. While it’s important to stay clean, we must also be mindful that everyone on the fourth floor of Sulzberger shares a total of six showers with dozens of other people. A good rule of thumb would be anything under 30 minutes. Side note: I’ve noticed some people have decided the showers are the best place for a smoke break. Please don’t smoke in the showers — the hazards of secondhand smoke are real.
Laundry
Let’s talk washing machines and dryers. We. Only. Have. Two. Of. Each. “I’ve seen people curse loudly and bang on the machines when their clothes get taken out, despite my friend already waiting ten minutes after their dryer had finished,” Michelle Zhou (BC ‘26) said.
I, too, have seen people take others’ wet clothing out of the washing machines and put it in a pile of shame on top as they load it with their clothing. To ensure that no one has extra work on their hands and avoid any potential arguments, please set alarms for when your clothes will be ready; no one finds pleasure in taking out others’ laundry.
However, I’ve also seen people abuse the ability to remove other’s clothes, taking out half-wet clothing from a dryer with 20 minutes left. We all want to do our laundry, but most students would be quite upset to find their still-wet clothing lying in a pile. Please don’t touch other people’s stuff without reason; they deserve the full 45 minutes that you get as well.
Dorm
In terms of the rooming situation, I hit the jackpot with my roommate. We have similar sleep schedules, habits, and personalities, which has made living with someone else less of a chore and more of an exciting new relationship to build. Others, however, did not have the same luck.
“Do not think you can change your lifestyle to match someone you want to room with,” said Sue Oh (BC ‘28). Many incoming first-years prioritize friendship over lifestyle in choosing a roommate and are surprised when their friend leaves leftovers in the trash can, stinking up their entire room.
In terms of getting along with your roommate, it doesn’t have to be difficult — having a roommate isn’t about being their best friend but rather respecting each other's boundaries and being open to compromise. “Be very honest and open with boundaries,” Jiu Yum (BC ‘28) said. “Our roommates won’t know what you want or what makes you uncomfortable unless you tell them.” Communicating your feelings is key to making a living situation work.
Hallways
People often forget that these walls feel paper-thin. I can hear chatter from four doors down, the alarm clock from the room next door, and chairs squeaking on the floor, not to mention the loud drums and random acapella practices happening throughout campus that feel like they’ve been amplified through a megaphone.
“There’s instances when people are really loud late on a Monday. To bang on the bathroom dorms and to scream lyrics at the top of your lungs in the shower is a little crazy when it’s so late,” said Kim.
Now, I’m not a light sleeper — especially with the number of classes I’ve accidentally slept through — but it does get quite annoying when you have an early morning class and people are having a conversation right outside your door at 2 a.m. It’s important to be mindful that everyone has different schedules and that just because you may not have a class until 1 p.m. doesn’t mean that others share the same privilege.
It’s understandable that first-years may not be accustomed to living with hundreds of other people. However, it’s an important life skill to be mindful of your neighbors and clean up after yourself in living spaces. Habits that we build up consistently throughout college will build a foundation for the rest of our lives and help us work together moving forward.