When I committed to attending Carleton College, there was a large emphasis on campus housing renovations. In 2023, when I first visited, the college was expanding house-style living options. They were breaking ground on the four-phase plan entitled “The Student Life and Housing Plan”. What were once construction zones are now six houses in the  Lilac Hill neighborhood and five houses on Union Street. Each of these includes kitchens, laundry units, lounges and both individual and group room draw opportunities. This development is included in the first two phases of the overall plan, accompanied by the new Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) building (the Class of 1974 Center). The third phase is currently in progress. When you walk down College Street, you can get a good look at the active construction. Rice House, Parish House, Douglas House and Page House are all undergoing exciting new upgrades. Though it’s unfortunate that the occupants of these houses were forced to relocate this school year, those who are still on campus next year will be able to enjoy the refurbished, revitalized infrastructure and utilities. Alongside these house upgrades, Davis Hall transitioned from the temporary SHAC space back into the dorms it once was. Students returning from their Fall Term abroad programs were able to move into these new rooms. The first three phases of this grand plan are centered around additions, including residential and community spaces. Conversely, the fourth phase involves a removal. The houses next to West Gym, including Geffert, Prentice, Allen and Wilson, are going to be vacated and removed. The new residential opportunities are being welcomed by most students with open arms. Not only do they provide a more diverse pool of housing options, but they also allow greater independence. It’s easier to cook for yourself and your housemates; there are fewer people you’re sharing bathrooms and lounges with, and you’re situated slightly on the outskirts of the main campus. However, the popularity of these changes drops significantly when the topic of removal is introduced.

Alongside the destruction of the Highway 9 houses, which are still technically “on-campus”, the capacity of the off-campus Northfield option has been reduced over the years. This application-based opportunity is solely available to rising seniors. As Carleton is now attempting to achieve through its housing expansion, the Northfield option was a way for students to move beyond their residential lifestyle and feel a semblance of independence. The Carleton bubble can start to feel stifling. Even less than two years in, it’s difficult for me to continually use the communal bathrooms or rely on the dining halls for my food options of the day. Though it’s possible to establish more self-sufficient routines in dorms, such as cooking food for yourself in the shared kitchen, it’s impossible to truly separate yourself from the reality of cohabitation and a dependence upon Carleton’s facilities. With off-campus housing, you are primarily on your own. Though the college’s website provides advice and important considerations to make when searching for a living space and signing a lease, the responsibility ultimately falls upon you. Compared to dorm living, this arrangement is much more reflective of the world that each student will face post-grad. Unless you are moving back home, it’s likely up to you to find a living situation, commit to an agreement (such as sign a lease), do steady upkeep and pay rent on time. On-campus living at Carleton does not follow this pattern at all, even if you are living in one of the house complexes like Lilac. You are responsible for completing the room draw and paying your tuition, but these responsibilities are heavily facilitated by the college.

Understandably, Carleton does not want students to have to juggle another burden on top of their academics and extracurriculars. Managing a home or apartment is a lot of work, and it requires a higher level of organization and conscientiousness than living in a dorm. Additionally, there is concern that the Northfield community will be disrupted by Carleton students living around them. College students tend to cause a bit more commotion than is welcome in a quiet neighborhood, and it makes sense that there are frequent noise complaints. However, I believe this opportunity to manage one’s home holistically is an important step towards life after Carleton. Without a concrete middle ground between on-campus living and apartment/house hunting in our futures, most students will likely feel unprepared for the “adult” lifestyle. Carleton prepares us for many aspects of the academic world. They hope that we’ll know how to conduct research, write analytical papers, and network for our future career prospects. Unfortunately, though, they prepare us for a world in which we rely on steady resources that cushion our everyday lives. We won’t be Burton brunching forever. Soon, it will be up to us to be responsible for dramatically more aspects of our day-to-day lives.  With fewer spots and the removal of off-board dining as an option for rising Carleton seniors, I believe that students will be unable to hit the ground running properly after they graduate. But, Carls are incredibly resourceful and intelligent. I’m sure that every student will quickly find their footing and adapt to living in the “real world”. It is unfortunate that they will miss a piece of life experience that could have made this transition smoother.