With all of the college graduations we've been attending it's put us in a bit of a nostalgic mood. We kinda miss the typical collegiate days (though not the typical collegiate decor!) In a very timely manner, we came across this photo essay on "The Evolution of the College Dorm". While the piece is more about college living in general, and less about the sleeping area specifically, we still found it to be an informative look into how dorms and college campuses have evolved (or perhaps devolved?) from being strictly educational facilities with minimal extras, to being full-blown apartment buildings complete with all the amenities of luxury living (Pools! Fireplaces! Suites! Laundry Service!)
Here are some of our favorites glimpses:
Student Seclusion
Before the information superhighway, schools were built around massive libraries, like the 400-year-old Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, above, in Britain. Early dorms were imposing, monastic structures meant to separate students from the outside world, providing more privacy for classes and introspection. This concept of the Ivory Tower lasted for decades. "If you look at the dorms of the Harvard Yard, the windows and doors are all on the yard side," says Jonathan Zimmerman, director of the New York University's History of Education Program. "Basically, what you see from the outside is a wall."
Before the information superhighway, schools were built around massive libraries, like the 400-year-old Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, above, in Britain. Early dorms were imposing, monastic structures meant to separate students from the outside world, providing more privacy for classes and introspection. This concept of the Ivory Tower lasted for decades. "If you look at the dorms of the Harvard Yard, the windows and doors are all on the yard side," says Jonathan Zimmerman, director of the New York University's History of Education Program. "Basically, what you see from the outside is a wall."
Posters & Pin-ups
Traditionally, residence halls were occupied by male students who were forced to adhere to strict dress codes, compulsory chapel services, curfews and even fitness regimens. Until the 1830s, Harvard students were required to purchase, chop and haul their own firewood back to the dorms (while dodging the livestock and pigpens that crowded the university's campus). Dorm mothers enforced the rules, and executed a strict "lights-out" policy (which also helped trim electricity bills). Eventually, restrictions loosened and posters and pin-ups became standard dorm decor — a racy way to compensate for the lack of female presence.
Traditionally, residence halls were occupied by male students who were forced to adhere to strict dress codes, compulsory chapel services, curfews and even fitness regimens. Until the 1830s, Harvard students were required to purchase, chop and haul their own firewood back to the dorms (while dodging the livestock and pigpens that crowded the university's campus). Dorm mothers enforced the rules, and executed a strict "lights-out" policy (which also helped trim electricity bills). Eventually, restrictions loosened and posters and pin-ups became standard dorm decor — a racy way to compensate for the lack of female presence.
A Higher-Ed Boom
The 1950s and 60s saw a surge in political and civil rights debates in America, with the college campus taking center stage in the debate over equality. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson outlined his plans for affirmative action during a graduation speech at the historically all-black Howard University, above. Meanwhile, massive state and federal spending sparked a boom in dorm construction, as minorities and disadvantaged students began flocking to campuses nationwide. In 1958, the University of California's nine campuses could house only 2,900 students; by 1970, they had residential space for nearly 20,000.
The 1950s and 60s saw a surge in political and civil rights debates in America, with the college campus taking center stage in the debate over equality. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson outlined his plans for affirmative action during a graduation speech at the historically all-black Howard University, above. Meanwhile, massive state and federal spending sparked a boom in dorm construction, as minorities and disadvantaged students began flocking to campuses nationwide. In 1958, the University of California's nine campuses could house only 2,900 students; by 1970, they had residential space for nearly 20,000.
Old Meets New
The cinder-block dorms of the 1950s were ill-equipped to handle the computer revolution of the 1980s. Re-wiring buildings became an expensive and drawn-out task, as did equipping their residents. Of today's college students, writer Nicholas Carr says, "Facebook is the dorm; Wikipedia is the library; and Craigslist is the mall." Here, a freshman at Drexel University shows off a gift from her alma mater; in 1985, the school issued each incoming student a new Microsoft computer. In 2004, Duke University spent half a million to greet its freshmen with iPods. Many schools now require students to purchase computers or laptops before the school year begins.
The cinder-block dorms of the 1950s were ill-equipped to handle the computer revolution of the 1980s. Re-wiring buildings became an expensive and drawn-out task, as did equipping their residents. Of today's college students, writer Nicholas Carr says, "Facebook is the dorm; Wikipedia is the library; and Craigslist is the mall." Here, a freshman at Drexel University shows off a gift from her alma mater; in 1985, the school issued each incoming student a new Microsoft computer. In 2004, Duke University spent half a million to greet its freshmen with iPods. Many schools now require students to purchase computers or laptops before the school year begins.
More Buck, More Bang
While state and federal funding dwindles and demand for college degrees continues to rise, tuition rates have soared — as has the need for better amenities to justify the higher expense. From 1995 to 2004, just 17% of the 113 residence halls constructed on college campuses were traditional dorms, according to the Association of College and University Housing Officers International; the vast majority were apartment-style suites. This fireplace, at the newly opened Vista del Campo Norte dormitory at the University of California at Irvine, was built by American Campus Communities, one of the nation's largest student-housing developers.
While state and federal funding dwindles and demand for college degrees continues to rise, tuition rates have soared — as has the need for better amenities to justify the higher expense. From 1995 to 2004, just 17% of the 113 residence halls constructed on college campuses were traditional dorms, according to the Association of College and University Housing Officers International; the vast majority were apartment-style suites. This fireplace, at the newly opened Vista del Campo Norte dormitory at the University of California at Irvine, was built by American Campus Communities, one of the nation's largest student-housing developers.
Luxury Learning
Though La Vista del Campo Norte seems at first glance more like a hotel than a dorm, Bill Bayless, CEO of American Campus Communities, says these buildings aren't just real estate opportunities: "Our properties are not Animal House. There are no kegs out by the pool." Nowadays, students demand privacy, technology and the same amenities they grew up with, he says. "It's what the student expects when they leave Mom and Dad's."
Though La Vista del Campo Norte seems at first glance more like a hotel than a dorm, Bill Bayless, CEO of American Campus Communities, says these buildings aren't just real estate opportunities: "Our properties are not Animal House. There are no kegs out by the pool." Nowadays, students demand privacy, technology and the same amenities they grew up with, he says. "It's what the student expects when they leave Mom and Dad's."
Bucking the Trend
Not everyone agrees with the luxury-dorm fad. At Berea College in Kentucky, school administrators have adopted a unique approach to the problem of strangled budgets and coddled kids: Dorms are furnished by the college crafts workshops, cafeteria food is provided by the school's farm, and students are required to work 10 hours a week in various campus jobs. "It's about identity and the culture you want to develop," says Gus Gerassimides, the college's assistant vice president for student life. "Ultimately every community has choices to make. It's who you choose to be."
Not everyone agrees with the luxury-dorm fad. At Berea College in Kentucky, school administrators have adopted a unique approach to the problem of strangled budgets and coddled kids: Dorms are furnished by the college crafts workshops, cafeteria food is provided by the school's farm, and students are required to work 10 hours a week in various campus jobs. "It's about identity and the culture you want to develop," says Gus Gerassimides, the college's assistant vice president for student life. "Ultimately every community has choices to make. It's who you choose to be."
For Time Magazine's full slide show click here
Related posts:
- 21st Century Dorm Rooms
- Best Dorm Rooms From the Archives
- Small, Cool Dorm Rooms
- Flicker Finds: Retro, Old School, and Vintage Dorm Rooms
Images: Time Magazine
