Issue date: 8/20/05 Section: opinion

Versus Magazine Online [Image based format]

When I first found out I was living in Branscomb, I went and drove by before school started to see what my future home looked like and tried to guess about my life there. What did I notice? Frat houses, sorority houses, and Memorial Gym right there on its doorstep. "Great" I thought, "Just great . . . all that ISN'T me is right within view - Greek life, sports, etc." And as the school year began, Branscomb proved again and again to be what I was not. However, there were many redeemable qualities about this complex of buildings that I came to adore, and in time, I reconciled myself with this quad. As I move into McGill this coming fall, I'll say a little goodbye to Branscomb and its ever-so-interesting happenings that colored my freshman year.

I lived in Lupton, Lup3, as it was known. As the year progressed I quickly became familiar with Lupdeuce, Lup7 (the penthouse), Scales, Vaughn, Stape2...and the many other monikers that followed the names of the dorms and floors in Branscomb. From the very first weekend, when I was greeted with loud music and red solo cups at every turn, I knew Branscomb was THE place for the social butterflies of campus. Every weekend, the main lobby was always a source of amusement for my friends and I, as we watched the girls and guys manage to stumble back in from the frats at around 2 in various forms of costume from the many "themed parties". Branscomb breakfast, where we were served waffles and eggs, was also a MUST after midnight in the lobby on Saturdays. While the food is known by the sober to be incredibly gross, most people never notice thanks to alcohol munchies. The weekends are non-stop. The lobby, elevators, and hallways are never quiet - at least not till about 8 am - when everyone has finally fallen asleep.

But not everything about Branscomb is associated with partying. The residents of BQ are incredibly lucky in that they can accomplish almost everything they'd ever need without having to leave the dorm (unlike the poor Kissamers who have basically nothing). There's a Munchie Mart, computer lab, laundry service, nail salon, restaurant, kitchen, music rooms, big meeting rooms, and several niiiice study rooms all under the same roof. The quad outside in the fall and spring is also really nice. The swing set out there gets a lot of use, as well as the grill and picnic table. Many afternoons looking out my window I could see lots of girls sunbathing in their bikinis, and even better, shirtless boys playing football or lacrosse.

From toga parties on Lup7 to dance forts made with couches in the study lounge, from fire drills because of roman candles at 3 in the morning to throwing water balloons at the sunbathing beauties one afternoon around exam time, the partying and pranking never ends in this quad. Some of it I won't miss, like Vandy prospective tours catching me looking my most dazzling in my PJs at 10 am or trying to sleep with a raging dance party going on one room over. But I have to admit ever so begrudgingly that I will miss some of it. I'm definitely going to have to come by next year just so I can hear the Rotiki man chant "paniiiniiii," and feel like it's freshman year all over again.

{Jennifer Bennett} lived in Branscomb last year. She has joined the McGill population this semester.

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