@Michel13, that question is answered in this Q & A with Hamilton students if you want to watch it. I don’t remember at what minute mark that question was answered.
There really is no cultural divide between the light side and dark side. Believe me, both sides have the same Hamilton culture. Although there is sort of a running myth among students that the Dark Side is more creative people (art, music, literature, etc.) and the Light Side is more math/science students. This is mostly due to the academic departments that are located on each side of campus.
Do you know why the 2 sides of campus (College Hill Road splits the campus) are called that? The architecture on the dark side is the former Kirkland College, an all girls school across the street from the original Hamilton College. Kirkland College was built mostly in the 1960’s and the architecture on that side of campus is mostly dark brick. Hence the “Dark Side”. The original Hamilton College campus is mostly older stone buildings from the 1800’s and early 1900’s that are generally lighter in color. Hence the “Light Side”.
Students move freely back and forth and most students graduate having lived on both sides. I’d say in general the dorms on the Dark Side are quieter and the Light Side has some of the bigger dorms that are known for their partying.
The “sides” represent complementary aspects of a fluid campus experience. They should serve to extend your imagination with respect to where you dine, study and socialize on a daily basis, while offering you similar variety in living choices.
Respectfully, dark and light as used on Hamilton’s campus do not pertain to the appearance of its architecture. The buildings on Hamilton’s Dark Side are not composed of brick, but, rather, lightly colored concrete. The terms Dark Side and Light Side were established during a power disruption in which the south side of campus was without electricity (and, therefore, “dark”) while the north side of campus remained lit (hence, “light”). With respect to inherent architectural characteristics, the Dark Side offers bright exteriors and interiors and large windows that allow natural light to enter.
@merc81, never heard that before about the power outage but I just did read something about that on Hamilton’s web site. My son tells me it’s because of the architecture and that’s what they tell you on the campus tour. Yeah, you’re right those buildings on the Dark Side are not brick. Messed that one up.
I guess the bottom line is that there is no campus divide in the culture of the students on one side compared to the other side. Do you think that is true? Which was the original question and concern from that post.
@HamilyDad, thank you for your thoughts, which are very helpful. I do have one other question, for women, how big an influence do the sororities have? My D is not interested in a sorority (will do a sport), but will she feel excluded from a part of the social life if she’s not in one?
Yes, the various areas of Hamilton’s campus are too fluid to express a divide. Students typically dine, takes classes, study, exercise and socialize across the entire campus within the course of a single day. They may of course develop preferences for particular areas of campus, but this, rightly, should be regarded as advantageous for students seeking either commonality or variety.
I have a son there so I don’t know much about the sororities except that my son and his friends say that frats and sororities are not a big part of the social scene at Hamilton. Your daughter should definitely not feel excluded for not joining a sorority. The Fiske Guide to Colleges says only 18% of women are members of a sorority at Hamilton. Frats and sororities don’t have houses at Hamilton, which might be why they don’t dominate the social scene on campus.
Are frats and sororities a big part of the social scene at any of the NESCAC schools? Anyone know? I remember on our tours of colleges that Bates and Colby both said they don’t have Greek life.
D20 just received her dorm assignment: Wertimer. She is crushed. She was hoping for North or South, or even Keane or Dunham. Anyone have any positive information I can pass along to make her assignment seem even a tiny bit better?