<p>My S has just found out that he’s going to be housed in Letts (he’s in the University College program). Is it true that Letts used to be a real party dorm- less work, more play; but that AU is trying to change that now? How does it compare with the other dorms? Any feedback appreciated, thanks!</p>
<p>Letts is on the South side of campus, which always gets the reputation for partying because rides to frat houses tend to leave from the Letts-Anderson (LA) Quad, which sits in the middle of the two buildings. As far as to which is more play and less work, that varies by floor, and by year. The people change every year, and every year there is a question on this board by a student or parent terrified that their studious student is going to be dramatically out of place by being in Letts and Anderson.</p>
<p>Pros:
- Best views, particularly of those facing away from the LA Quad
- Ability to get to friends dorms in Anderson and Centennial without leaving the building
- Best storage out of any of the dorms with floor to ceiling built in wall storage
- Has its own Fitness Center
- Access to the Perch in Centennial Hall without leaving the building</p>
<p>Cons
- One of the older dorms on campus
- Smaller Rooms than average</p>
<p>Neutral
- Higher Security. One of four dorms (Letts, Nebraska, Clark, and Roper) that have two sets of doors that require a key-swipe, as well as showing your ID at the desk to gain entrance to where the students are housed.</p>
<p>Ultimately, Letts is a great place to spend your first year. It’s an all freshman dorm, where most of University College is housed, so you get to grow with people all having similar experiences. But it also has access to Anderson and Centennial without going outside.</p>
<p>AUTransfer, wouldyou mind doing that for Anderson?</p>
<p>Thanks! You’re such an amazing resource here.</p>
<p>Sure thing :)</p>
<p>Pros
- Larger Rooms than average.
- Excellent Wall Storage
- Generally speaking, everything is newer. The lobby was renovated at the end of Spring 2010. Half of the lounges were renovated as of the end of Spring 2011, I believe they’re finishing the rest this summer.
- Access to the Perch, as well as Letts and Centennial Halls.
- Own Computer Lab, so it’s easy to print out papers right before class without waiting in a giant library line. </p>
<p>Neutral:
- Largest Dorm by Far.</p>
<p>Again, it receives a bad reputation because of its position on campus, but Anderson tends to be calmer, particularly because of its proximity to Centennial – which houses most of the non-Freshmen that chose to stay on campus. All-in-all, because of the recent renovations, Anderson is one of the nicest places to spend Freshman year.</p>
<p>I do believe that the first half of Anderson (including lobby) was renovated in Summer 2009, and the second half in Summer 2010, so the entire building has been totally renovated (new paint, carpets, furniture, lounges, etc.) within the past two years. Centennial was similarly renovated in Summer 2008, and this summer McDowell (the honors dorm) is up for renovation. Usually they renovate one dorm per summer, on a 10 year cycle. Anderson and Letts, being the largest, take two summers each. Unsure of when Letts is next up for renovation though, to my knowledge it was last redone during the last 10-year cycle (early to mid-90’s), so it’s currently one of the “older” dorms in terms of interior finishes. That being said, it was the most recently renovated before this round started, so it’s only considered old compared to the newest ones.</p>
<p>Letts is also right by the library and the student center with the dining hall–great location, not that anything is far on the AU campus!</p>
<p>My son (a rising junior) participated in a University College section as a freshman and it has been one of his highlights…made many of his best friends and enjoyed the special academic aspect as well.</p>