East housing historical but flawed

Many Boston University students living in east campus residences said even though they have enjoyed their residences, the experience of living in older, more historical buildings has been far from perfect.

‘The old time charm is rubbing off,’ College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Kelsey Brodersen, who has lived in Myles Standish Hall since freshman year, said.

East campus includes suite-style Danielsen Hall, Myles and Shelton Hall, as well as dorm-style brownstone residences along Bay State Road. The residences house students from all colleges and schools, and Myles and Shelton are home to dining halls.’ ‘

Despite the advantage of close proximity to downtown, Brodersen said she is often frustrated with Myles because the showers and elevators malfunction regularly.

‘There are definitely problems here,’ Brodersen said. ‘The shower situation is weird. The water goes from cold to scalding hot. The elevators always break, and the fitness room smells like a moldy bathroom.’

CAS sophomore Miriam Levine, a resident of the Myles Annex, a dorm-style addition to the original Myles building, said she has experienced the same elevator problems.

‘There are no elevators that go up the abyss that is the annex,’ she said. ‘The building definitely needs to be renovated.’

Housing Director Marc Robillard said although the buildings are old, they bring a different feel to campus.

‘We call it a taste of Old Boston,’ he said. ‘They have a lot of character that’s unique to Boston University. You will not go to any other campus and find a Myles Standish Hall, a Shelton Hall or a Danielsen Hall.’

To renovate the historic buildings in east campus, BU would have to consult the Boston Historical Society about changing anything on the exterior, Robillard said.

School of Hospitality Administration sophomore Grace Cohan said the poor transportation to and from Danielsen has made her experience living there negative. Danielsen is situated on the eastern-most end of BU campus.

‘Actually, I don’t like it,’ Cohan said. ‘Since I’m in SHA, it’s really far away and anti-social. Also, the bus only goes one way. I’m not living here next year.’

CAS sophomore Katie Crowly said even though Danielsen is slightly anti-social, she still enjoys living there.

‘It’s good if you want to live in a quiet area,’ Crowly said. ‘The rooms are pretty good. We have our own bathroom and it’s nice to be near Newbury [Street],’ she said.

Robillard acknowledged that many students who live in Danielsen do not choose to live there again the next year, either because of the distance or because of the actual facilities.

‘The Danielsen student, after their first year, will want to move somewhere else,’ he said. ‘We have some Danielsen students that stay in the building because they can get the bigger rooms with the greater views, but for the most part, the students want to get out.

Student Village Phase II will provide more openings in the housing system, which will ‘have the greatest impact on students in Danielsen,’ Robillard said.

CAS sophomore Ryan Sullivan said he has loved living in east campus, and has lived in Shelton since his freshman year.

‘Once you get into Shelton, there’s no reason to leave,’ Sullivan said. ‘There are private bathrooms, air conditioning. It’s also a little quieter when you want to sleep.’

CAS junior Aaron Mead-Long said the brownstones along Bay State Road also have a quieter atmosphere.

‘I enjoy living here,’ CAS junior Aaron Mead-Long said. ‘It pretty cool, quiet, and you don’t have to worry about signing people in.’

BU had committed to renovating one brownstone a year, according to President Robert Brown’s website. Robillard said BU has already renovated 70 percent of the brownstones, which cost about $1.5 million each to renovate. Although BU tries to renovate one brownstone a year,’ it is ‘not always successful,’ Robillard said.