<p>Hello all. I'll be returning for my second year at UVa this fall (2011) and I am trying to figure out whether or not I'd like to alter my living arrangements. I currently live in Brown College but I was thinking of switching to the Johnson, Malone and Weedon complex. </p>
<p>My reasons for wanting to leave Brown:
- After a year there, the population seems to be split between anti-social and immature with only a handful of people who I found myself compatible with.
- The room layout is very awkward as it blurs co-habitation boundaries. This wouldn't be a problem if I had a sensible roommate who was willing to discuss problems and find solutions, but last year my roommate was a spoiled brat who neglected to adhere to any agreements we mutually arrived at. Now I'm worried that my next roommate will be just as unreasonable. It's also really awkward when my boyfriend visits.</p>
<p>So naturally, I thought it would be a good idea for me to seek a single room to avoid another roommate fiasco. My sleep habits are somewhat atypical for a college student (bed by 10-11pm, up by 7-8am) and I like to take early classes, so I'm afraid of running into trouble if my next roommate happens to be a night owl (I believe the one I'm slotted for is, but she gives ambiguous answers when I ask so I'm not sure). So,</p>
<p>My reasons for wanting to go to Johnson, Malone and Weedon:
- Single room
- Hall-style living with transfer students. I expect that will make it easy to make some new friends.
- Close to the better dining halls and the AFC
Reservations:
- I'm a Studio Art major and the JMW complex are just about the furthest dorms from the a-school.
- Having to take a bus for most classes?
- I stayed in Hereford for freshman orientation and the building seemed really dark and bare, and the rooms extremely small.</p>
<p>I'm hoping someone who lives in this complex can give me their opinion of it.</p>
<p>I hear your concerns and believe they are valid reasons for seeking other housing arrangements. However, UVa housing at this juncture may be limited. I would call housing and see what they say your options are for next year. Their answer may be a very important variable in your quest for a solution.</p>
<p>I don’t even know what to say to this post… Brown was the most accepting community ever which is why I lived there for four years, and the great location didn’t hurt, either. Newcomb may be somewhat gross, but you’re really going to give up the Brown room and the freedom to eat whenever you want and have someone to talk to, plus the cut in line swipe? Unfathomable…</p>
<p>I always considered the room to be a double, with a convenient door in the middle to separate it when needed. If you’re really looking for a single, then Brown is not the right place. But, you shouldn’t be afraid to get an RA involved when a roommate breaks the agreement, that’s what they’re paid/get free room and board for.</p>
<p>Anyways, my roommate and I were on opposite schedules my 4th year and it was a super drag so I understand if you really want the single. And sometimes people are a bit too mainstream for brown (now I sound like Helvetica aka Hipster Ariel) but it’s the first time I’ve heard of anyone wanting to go seclude themselves in Hereford from Brown (usually it is the other way around!).</p>
<p>If you really don’t want to stay in Brown, you should definitely give your room to someone who wants to be there. But it’s such a great community, it’s hard for me to understand that you couldn’t find your place there. I had friends across all ages during my time there, which really balanced the community – don’t get caught up in people just your year – plus I balanced out a lot of the drama you’re probably not digging by having friends through classes and clubs. My Brown-associating-only friends definitely dealt with more drama than I did… Anyways good luck with your choice but I hope you leave for the right reasons and not for something like avoiding involving an RA.</p>
<p>The problem with Brown as I see it is that the one, huge (40ish people) social scene dominates the community, and a lot of people think that to participate in the community you need to be a part of that group. There are a TON of Brownies who don’t spend a lot of time hanging out with that big group. I think this year Community Outreach will be running some more events to help people who don’t necessarily want to be in that group meet each other, but there are definitely a bunch of smaller friend groups in Brown that don’t come to Tucker all the time… it can be hard to meet the people in them but its definitely worth the effort</p>
<p>Hey,
I’m a 2nd year transfer and I didn’t get on-grounds housing this year. I’m planning to stay nearby in an off-grounds apartment with a couple of roommates. My parents really don’t want me to live off campus though. I know this may sound crazy but I was wondering if maybe I could move in your Brown College room on move-in day (when they drop me off) and then like IMMEDIATELY move my stuff out. AHHHH this sounds ridiculous but it would mean so much to me. Is there any way that you could help me outttt.</p>
<p>I had a friend who had an on grounds and off grounds housing thing to please parents. But he was actually under contract both places.</p>
<p>When you arrive, you have to sign in to get a key. With photo id. You won’t be able to pull it off. In addition, this is UVA. You should think twice about deceiving your parents aka lying aka breaking the honor code, on your very first day.</p>
<p>I know the OP wrote this about a month ago, but I have some thoughts on the Johnson, Malone, Weedon community in Hereford. I lived in Johnson last year as a third year transfer. To be honest, through my experience, 50% to 60% of the people who live in Hereford are anti-social. It was comical at times, some people I ran into looked scared white when I simply said “hi.” Nevertheless, the other 40% or so are talkative and fun. I met a lot of other transfers like me, and some good people that became friends. Most people in my dorm were either completely outgoing or completely socially awkward. Overall, I had a good experience, but I would not live there two years in a row. Almost everyone I knew in that dorm is moving into apartments this year (as am I). It is convenient to have a single room, but a lot of people get too comfortable being alone, and become less and less involved. I sort of got lucky, in that the 40% or so in my dorm that were outgoing had the same interests that I did. The buildings are a little dark, but they do have AC. The buses are a little of a hassle, but at my old school, it took me about a 25 minute bus ride to get to class from my off campus place. I don’t know anything about the Brown experience, but if you need a change of pace, it may be a risk worth taking.</p>
<p>kindaslick89, thank you for your input. At Brown people in the ‘hall’ would look at me like I was crazy when I’d say “hi”. Your percentages sound like a step up from Brown’s population. I feel like many of them are obsessed with appearing “non-mainstream”, are crippled with insecurity, and are all constantly gossiping about eachother. I’m ready to meet some people who can just chill out, be true to themselves, and be friendly. I’ve met a handful of people like that in Brown, including my best friend, but they are the minority and also think Brown is not the right fit.</p>
<p>I’ve made the switch and feel it’s the right decision for me. At the very least, trying different styles of living arrangements will give me a more complete UVa experience. Thanks to all for your help.</p>