Living Arrangements: Carman Residents At Columbia University

Carman Hall is a dormitory located on Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus. It houses first-year students from Columbia College, as well as the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. Approximately 40% of first-year students live in Carman, enjoying its spacious and well-lit rooms, beautiful campus views, and convenient location. With a mix of single and double rooms, Carman offers a social environment conducive to meeting new people and building community.

Carman Hall is a first-year residence hall

The building was originally named New Hall when it opened in 1959 to all-male undergraduates. It was later renamed in 1965 to honour Harry Carman, who served as dean of Columbia College from 1943 to 1950. The residence hall has 13 single rooms and 287 double rooms, with a semi-private bathroom shared between every two double rooms. The rooms are furnished, and the building offers a range of amenities, including lounges on each floor, a shared kitchen in the basement, and a free laundry facility.

Carman Hall is known for its social atmosphere, with students often gathering in the hallways and lounges. It is also conveniently located near Lerner Hall, Ferris Booth Commons, and Butler Library. The building's design has been criticised for its aesthetics, with its long hallways and pattern of double rooms with shared bathrooms resembling a "Victorian reformatory". However, despite the criticism, Carman Hall provides a vibrant and social environment for first-year students at Columbia University.

The residence hall is also known for its notable alumni, including Eric Garcetti, the Mayor of Los Angeles, and Eric Holder, the 82nd United States Attorney General. Carman Hall has played a role in literary works, featuring in the writings of Paul Auster and Ben Coes, and has a unique history, including a bomb threat evacuation in 2021.

Approximately 40% of first-years live in Carman

Carman Hall is a dormitory located on Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus. It houses first-year students from Columbia College, as well as the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. Approximately 40% of first-years live in Carman, making it a popular choice for new students.

Carman Hall was originally named New Hall when construction began in 1957. It was designed by Harvey Clarkson of Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, the same firm that designed the Empire State Building. The building opened in 1959 to male undergraduates from Columbia College. However, the aesthetics of the building were criticised by students, faculty, and critics alike. Architecture critic Allan Temko likened it to a “Victorian reformatory”. In 1965, it was renamed Carman Hall after Harry Carman, who served as dean of Columbia College from 1943 to 1950.

Carman Hall offers spacious and well-lit rooms with beautiful views of the campus. It is conveniently located adjacent to Lerner Hall and is in close proximity to Ferris Booth Commons, Lerner Hall, and Butler Library. Carman has a reputation as the "party" or "social" dorm, with spacious corridors that encourage socialising and meeting new people. It is also known for its good soundproofing, as the walls are made of concrete rather than wallboard.

Each floor in Carman Hall has a common area with bar chairs, tables, a television, and a couch. The building also provides a shared kitchen in the basement, although it does not have a refrigerator. Other amenities include a free laundry facility, a computer lab, and a print station. Carman is a popular choice for student politicians and sports teams, with many members of a team residing on the same floor.

The building has 13 single and 287 double rooms

Carman Hall, located on Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus, is a dedicated first-year residence hall. The building has 13 single and 287 double rooms, accommodating approximately 40% of first-year students. Each double room is shared by two students, meaning that around 584 first-year students reside in Carman Hall.

The 13 single rooms are reserved for Resident Advisers, who are responsible for guiding and supporting their fellow residents. These single rooms provide a private and quiet space for the Resident Advisers to carry out their duties and ensure the smooth running of the residence hall.

The double rooms, on the other hand, are designed to foster a sense of community and social interaction among the residents. Each suite in Carman Hall typically consists of two double rooms, accommodating four students in total. These suites offer a semi-private bathroom shared between the two rooms. The layout encourages camaraderie and a vibrant social atmosphere, which many students appreciate during their first year of university.

The building's design, with its long hallways and spacious common areas, further enhances the social aspect of living in Carman Hall. The residence hall has a reputation as the "'party' or 'social' dorm", attracting social butterflies and aspiring student politicians alike. Its proximity to Lerner Hall and Ferris Booth Commons also contributes to its lively atmosphere.

Overall, Carman Hall's configuration of 13 single and 287 double rooms creates a dynamic and engaging living environment for first-year students at Columbia University, setting the tone for their university experience.

The residence hall has a free laundry facility in the basement

Carman Hall is a dedicated first-year residence hall at Columbia University, with approximately 40% of first-years living there. The building has 13 single rooms and 287 double rooms, accommodating a total of 587 students.

Now, let's focus on the laundry facilities in the basement of Carman Hall:

The basement also offers a shared kitchen with a microwave but no refrigerator. Residents can utilise the kitchen for basic food preparation and heating, but they may need to bring their own cookware and utensils. The basement lounge provides additional space for relaxation and social gatherings, featuring chairs, tables, large circular couches ideal for meetings, and whiteboards for collaborative work or sharing information.

The basement level of Carman Hall also provides other amenities, including music practice rooms, a gym with cardio equipment, and a tunnel system connecting to other campus buildings. The building's location, adjacent to Lerner Hall, Ferris Booth Commons, and Butler Library, further enhances the convenience and accessibility for its residents.

Overall, the free laundry facility in the basement of Carman Hall is a valuable resource for residents, complementing their daily living experience and contributing to the sense of community within the residence hall.

Carman has a reputation as the party dorm

Carman Hall, a dormitory located on Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus, has a reputation as the "party dorm". Housing approximately 40% of first-year students from Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and various sports teams, Carman has earned its reputation through a history of social gatherings and a design that encourages social interaction.

The building's long hallways and spacious common areas provide ample space for socialising. Its location next to Lerner Hall and Ferris Booth Commons, as well as its proximity to the Butler Library, also contribute to its popularity as a social hub.

Carman's reputation as the "party dorm" is further enhanced by notable events and controversies throughout the years. Prior to its 2019 renovation, for example, the sixth floor was known as the rowdiest due to its abnormally large non-suite room, which garnered over 70 noise complaints in 2010 alone. In the spring of 2014, the Notorious Carman 8 ("The Ocho") threw a paint party with a fully-equipped bar.

The building's design also contributes to its party atmosphere. The original design, completed in 1959, featured long hallways and a pattern of two double rooms with a shared bathroom, which architecture critic Allan Temko likened to a "Victorian reformatory". While the aesthetics of the building were criticised by many, including students, faculty, and critics, the long hallways and shared bathrooms inadvertently created a sense of community and social interaction among residents.

Additionally, Carman's elevators are frequently closed due to the need to clean up vomit and food, indicating a high level of social activity within the dorm. The presence of aspiring student politicians and socially active students in Carman further reinforces its reputation as the "party dorm".

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