<p>momof3sons: thank you, that was very helpful, the lamps and fans ideas will really help. And Mertz is a very nice-looking dorm, is it very old? How far is the train station (where it is near) from central campus, such as to the science buildings or Parrish Hall?</p>
<p>Collegialmom,
Mertz was built in 1981, so it is relatively new. The train station is literally at the foot of the campus. If you stood outside Parrish Hall and looked "down" the hill, the train station would be in front of you, at the foot of the hill. So, you're talking a two minute walk from Mertz! This link will give you even more info. <a href="http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users/03/dbing/history/dorms.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users/03/dbing/history/dorms.html</a></p>
<p>Mertz is not air-conditioned. Alice Paul may be, but no ohter dorm is air-conditioned that I know of.</p>
<p>It's really not necessary -- a few weeks in September and a few weeks in early May are about the only times it would be necessary. Mertz rooms have big built-in ledges in front of the window, fan in the windo works well.</p>
<p>Mertz has built-in overhead lighting, but a pole lamp is nice for a little mellower "mood-lighting". That and a desk lamp is all you would need.</p>
<p>The Mertz halls and rooms are basic institutional -- carpeted floors, cinderblock walls covered by a textured wall covering. Bathrooms are clean and nice. Each floor has a kitchen/lounge area that are really popular gathering spots. Rooms have decent sized closets, bookshelves, a desk and a bureau.</p>
<p>Ground floor has a big common room with cathedral ceiling, a rock-wall fireplace, glass wall looking out over the lawn, and a big screen TV. Big open stairway leading up from the entry foyer.</p>
<p>Thanks! A pole lamp has been officially added to our shopping list. (The desk lamp was already on the list.) D finished up her internship Friday so that we could spend this week shopping and running errands, before she goes off to Tri-Co. What we don't get done, or don't think we can fit in the car, she can get at the bookstore or the Target.</p>
<p>Alice Paul is the only dorm on campus that is consistently air conditioned. What this means, though, is that the <em>halls</em> are air conditioned, not the rooms (so we just propped our doors open when we needed the air). The lounge is a great place to go if you need to cool down, though.</p>
<p>My son, too, will be living in Mertz next year and after reading all of the posts here, I am very excited for him! I have gotten so much info from this board- just wanted to thank you ALL.</p>