Kent State’s residence halls are subject to debate every year. Generating lots of buzz among Golden Flashes, dorms are something that almost every traditional student will experience in their college career. 

First: Centennial Courts

Centennial Courts are Kent State’s newest dorms, built in 2002. The dorms are made up of six buildings in Centennial Court A, B, C, D, E and F. All Centennial Court rooms have a private bathroom with shared laundry.  

Vaughn McGinley, a freshman fashion merchandising major who lives in Centennial Court E, said he only wanted to be in Centennial dorms when he applied to Kent State. 

“When I applied to the dorms, when you can request your rooms, I put every Centennial above everything else because I knew I wanted a private bathroom,” McGinley said. “Honestly, it makes life so much easier not having to go to a communal bathroom. It saves a lot of time and energy.”

Certain Centennial rooms can be a triple room, where three roommates have to share a space normally allotted for two. McGinley said he ended up being placed in a triple room, but that he still enjoyed it. 

“I applied with only one roommate and some of the dorms in Centennials have two roommates, but we got a random one, but he’s literally one of our best friends here, so it worked out,” McGinley said.

Keane Naughton, a freshman aeronautical studies major who lives in Centennial Court E, said he’s glad to be in a Centennial dorm after seeing Tri-Towers.

“I’ve seen stuff about Tri-Towers bathrooms and the conditions just did not look favorable whatsoever,” Naughton said. “I feel like this space is still pretty good, even though I’m pretty sure it’s a two-person room but three people got into it. We still have a good amount of space for living.”

Second: Tri-Towers

Tri-Towers is Kent’s tallest dorm, made up of Wright Hall, Koonce Hall and Leebrick Hall. Each tower is made up of 12 floors with pod bathrooms. 

Tri-Towers are notably connected to the Tri-Towers Rotunda. The two-story building is connected to all three halls and houses the laundry room, a small gym and Rosie’s Diner. Students living there are able to access the Rotunda without ever having to go outside. 

Lydia DeRaimo, a freshman human development and family sciences major who lives in Wright Hall, said the way the rooms in Tri-Towers are sized makes them harder to feel comfortable in.

“The room sizes are awkward,” Deraimo said. “They’re rectangular. They’re longer than they are wide, so it’s awkward to set up your room.”

DeRaimo also said her floor had problems keeping shared spaces clean, but said that other floors were better at talking than hers. 

“The communal bathrooms are not bad unless your floor is good at communicating,” she said. “Mine is not good at communicating. Mine argues constantly over everything. Everyone just hates each other.”

DeRaimo also said she took issue with the location of Tri-Towers in relation to some of her classes, while other campus amenities were closer. 

“It’s close to the Rec Center as well,” Deraimo said. “I have friends that live in the Honors College that walk to the Rec Center, and I feel bad for them.” 

Third: Eastway 

Eastway dorms are comprised of Fletcher, Manchester, Allyn and Clark Hall.

Alena Stewart, a freshman construction management major who lives in Fletcher Hall, said she enjoys the convenience of the Eastway dorms. 

“I like the convenience of it,” Stewart said. “Everyone lives there first, and it’s exciting, it’s a good dorm and has a lot of room … the food and the stores are all good.” 

Stewart said she was happy with the amenities in Eastway and that it worked for a new student. 

“I think the rooms are pretty decently sized, like a little small, a little close together, but I feel like that’s normal,” Stewart said. “It’s central as well on campus, which is nice.” 

Andrew Bowie is a beat reporter. Contact him at [email protected].