First in a series of stories detailing housing options available to Boston University students for the 2004-05 academic year.

Situated around Nickerson field are the estranged sisters of Warren Towers: Claflin, Sleeper and Rich Halls.

The three make up an area of campus students say feels more like a college campus than most of Boston University and are near numerous amenities – if you don’t mind the distance from main campus.

“I like the way it’s set up – a smaller college setting almost,” College of General Studies freshman Greg Gannon said.

The three West Campus towers were built in the 1960s and were named after Boston University’s original cofounders – Lee Claflin, Jacob Sleeper and Isaac Rich, according the Office of Residence of Life website.

Each tower is home to just more than 600 students spread across 12 floors and offers laundry and study rooms, the Office of Housing Website says.

Taken as a whole, West Campus is the most populous dormitory on campus, with about 50 more residents than Warren Towers. Claflin features a music practice room with pianos, a fitness room, a dark room and a TV lounge, according to the website. A Resnet computer lab, games room, cinema room with an additional TV and music rooms are available in Rich Hall. A mailroom for all West Campus residents is also located at the foot of Rich.

The three towers also feature specialty floors for the College of Communication, the College of Engineering and the College of Fine Arts.

The Fresh Food Company at West Campus, one of five residence dining halls on campus, joins Claflin and Sleeper Halls, and is the university’s newest dining hall.

“The Fresh Food Company is a fantastic dining facility,” Housing Director Marc Robillard said.

Students lauded the dining hall’s setting, but disagreed on the quality of its food.

“I think its ambiance is the best on campus,” College of Communication sophomore Chrissy English said. “I don’t the salad bar has as much of a selection.”

CGS sophomore Eboni Inge also noted a change in the quality of food at the Fresh Food Co.

“Last year it was a lot better – I don’t know what has happened, but it’s pretty bad,” she said. “I find myself eating the same thing all the time.”

But CGS freshman Riley Clark said he feels the food is much better than elsewhere on campus.

“I personally spend four to five hours a day [in the dining hall],” he said. “We have original food, but it’s on like a two-month cycle, so after a while it gets old.”

CGS freshman Karen Lezinstim said, “When my parents were here they were like, ‘This is like gourmet food,’ but when you eat here all the time it gets old.”

The three towers are situated at slight angles to each other, forming a common area that many students say creates a sense of community unique to West Campus.

“It’s easier to meet people here compared to Warren,” Lezinstim said.

Clark added that residents coming back from parties often gather outside before passing through security, which also makes it easier to meet people.

West Campus also features a patch of grass behind Sleeper Hall – one of the largest patches on campus. On Friday, when temperatures rose into the 60s, the lawn was littered with students napping and studying in groups.

“It has a semi-campus feel,” said College of Arts and Sciences Joanna Nowack. “We even have grass.”

While its distance from campus is often frowned upon during room selection, some students cited the dormitory’s location as an advantage.

“For me, I take classes at CGS, so I only have to wake up 10 minutes before class,” Inge said.

Case Physical Education Center, which houses the Case Gymnasium, Walter Brown Arena and Faneuil Pool, proves to be another perk of the West side.

“If you work out, the gym is right there,” Clark said.

Students said they appreciate the proximity of a variety of other facilities as well.

“[West Campus] is close to Ashford [Street] – that was big first semester,” Clark said. “And Shaw’s is right there – that’s big too.”

Ashford Street is the site of frequent fraternity and house parties known to attract students, and Shaw’s Allston is located at 1065 Commonwealth Ave. and is the closest grocery store to campus.

Robillard also noted the convenience of West Campus’s own Campus Convenience store, as well as the proximity of athletic facilities, public transportation and dining options.

“Two words: T. Anthony’s,” Robillard said.

Few students complained about the distance to classes.

“I really like the walk from here to East Campus,” English said. “It’s the best way to get fresh air.”

But every year, there is flux not into West Campus, but out of it, and English said she will follow that pattern.

“I think two years in West Campus is enough,” English said.

Clark, on the other hand, said he has decided to stay on West Campus.

“I’m just switching to the other side of the hall,” he said.