I need some positive messages/vibes! DS is assigned to a basement room in Willets. In the dark ages (3o years ago) there were no dorm rooms in the basement of Willets, and I can’t imagine living in a basement.
I have read on CC that there are musty odors in the basement. Also, that Willets has ‘paper thin walls’ and is a rowdy dorm. It doesn’t seem to fit my introverted son. I’m surprised that Swat would put kids in a basement! Not that he needs to be living in the ‘best dorm’, but I never imagined a basement! Also, there is only one shower in the men’s room and two toilets–doesn’t seem like enough facilities? Is this dorm comfortable? Is there any natural light in the basement? I assume you can’t see out the windows (the only pic I could find shows a small window near the ceiling-you’d need to stand on a chair to see out). I appreciate any feedback from students who have lived in Willets!
I haven’t seen the “ground floor” rooms in Willets in person but here’s a floor plan: https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/assets/documents/livingswarthmore/WilletsHall%20flrB.pdf
You can see that the rooms only take up about half the building footprint, so I think the bathroom situation should be fine (plus it’s a short walk upstairs to more if there’s a sudden rush 
).
Willets does have a reputation as a “lively” dorm, but I think a lot of freshmen and sophomores like it because it’s easy to make friends. My son lived there sophomore year (though on the first floor).
Thx. I had seen the floor plan. The basement wasn’t living quarters when my spouse attended Swat. After writing the tuition check (gulp) it’s hard to be psyched about a basement dorm situation. I’m sure it’s less appealing to the students too? If my child’s happy I will be fine with it … but I haven’t read any positives about the ground floor.
All is good : ) My student is super psyched about Swat and really doesn’t care about the ground level! Reading CC made me nervous!
Willets is a freshman experience. Fantastic housing options in future years
I wish I could find pics of the basement rooms—if anyone has pics I’d appreciate a preview!