Columns, Opinion

MARTIN: Warren Towers is flawed, liveable

I’ve just recently dropped six big ones — $600, I mean — on a deposit for next year’s on-campus housing. When such large financial decisions require my attention, I find it wise to take a minute and assess what I’m spending on. Housing is a big part of the college experience, and up to this point, my time at Boston University has been phenomenal. So next month, when it comes time for me to choose where I plan on staying, an extensive amount of consideration is necessary.

As a rising sophomore, it can be difficult to figure out what will best suit me, as I haven’t had the time to experience what every residence offers. So I’ve decided the most helpful thing for myself, and for those contemplating future residence in Warren Towers, is a thorough review of my current home.

Overall, I think Warren is an excellent place to stay for the socially engaged student. The circular floor plan, the dining hall and the large laundry room make social interaction almost unavoidable. I’ve made many friends on different floors in each of the towers. It’s always nice to get a change of scenery and experience a variety of company without trudging through the snow and ice.

The variety of culture is my favorite thing about Warren. The global diversity, which I find quite beautiful, encourages one to go beyond just making friends. You’ll discover new types of relationships by stepping over geographical boundaries and enriching your own culture through interactions with your peers. I’ve found myself, on a couple occasions, just sitting in the dining hall, enamored with the vast amount of variety in my neighbors.

However, when it comes to the peak of college social interactions, partying, Warren can be a serious restraint. Don’t get me wrong. The occasional get-together is bound to occur. Though if Thursday night is something you really look forward to, I sincerely hope you don’t mind walking or dropping a couple bucks on the MBTA if you live at 700 Commonwealth Ave.

The facilities are adequate. Just adequate. I think the rooms are too small, but I’m a big guy. A lot of my sub-6-foot friends have no complaints at all regarding room size, especially if you can manage to lock down a corner double with your uncomfortable amount of claustrophobia.

I dislike the desk chairs. They’re very uncomfortable after about an hour of homework. To compensate, I suppose, the beds are nice and plenty long for my elongated figure. Furnishings are not necessarily abundant, but you’ll have a desk, a bed, a dresser and some shelves.

Outside the room, another serious issue lies in wait, snatching my convenience points away from me once a week. The dryers, simply put, suck. They’re bad. On the highest temperature with three extra cycles, the clothes still come out damp. That’s $2.25, at least, just to dry. Why laundry isn’t included in our housing cost is beyond me.

In terms of food, I’ve found Warren Dining to be a good source of sustenance. While it may be outclassed by West, and is certainly inferior to Bay State, I think the food is fine for the most part. Some days are better than others, but I seldom find myself completely dissatisfied. The Late Nite options are solid. I’ve really fallen in love with the crispy chicken wraps. You should try one if you haven’t. If food selection is a deciding factor when it comes to picking where to live, I wouldn’t discard Warren as a suitable option.

In summary, I find Warren Towers to be a solid residency. The location is terrific for College of Arts and Sciences students, providing a good mixture of classroom accessibility and an ample number of classmates to connect with.

Furthermore, if you really can’t stomach the dining options here, Bay State and several other options are within a five-minute walk. Warren’s amenities are all convenient, the rooms are acceptable and the social interaction is stimulating. I’ll cherish this year, and I plan on holding on to many memories I’ve made in Warren, my home.

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