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Solberg
by Sanna Horsley, Mirror Staff Writer
Augustana students always have a lasting fondness for the dorm they lived in during that momentous freshman year of college. During this year, all students develop a strong bias toward either Solberg or Bergsaker.
As a current freshman, I am proud to profess my love for Solberg.
Solberg is much homier than Bergsaker. Rather than having an invisible line separating the Bergsaker dorm rooms, Solberg rooms are truly a shared space. Solberg roommates are required to share a closet, a desk area and a dresser top. Thus, Solberg produces the best roommates who are capable of sharing a limited area and living with a stranger.
Many of the Bergsaker rooms have a tree blocking any views out the window. My room, along with half of the other Solberg rooms, has a beautiful view that overlooks the green.
Every morning, a lovely sunrise consumes my room and gently wakes me out of my sleep. The sunshine encourages me to climb down from my loft and get ready for my 8 a.m. class.
Solberg has a sidewalk that directs students in a straight path to the Elmen Center, which is the perfect reminder to combat the dreaded freshman 15. Bergsaker, however, has a sidewalk that leads freshmen out of the dorm and right to the doors of the Commons.
Another shocking difference between the freshmen dorms is the toilets. The first time I had to use the bathroom in Bergsaker, I had to call a resident and ask how to flush the toilet. Solberg toilets have a normal flushing device that doesn't confuse residents, and it also prevents users from rather embarrassing stories.
Solberg and Bergsaker have their own defining quirks that help shape their residents. Students will always stand by their freshman building, and I have heard that many sophomores, now living in the towers, long for their more spacious Solberg freshman dorm.
Freshmen, enjoy the large dorm room while you can, and remember: Bergsaker can't compete with Solberg's greatness.
Bergsaker
by Alan Thompson, Mirror Staff Writer
Nearly all Augustana students, past and present, have pondered which freshman dorm is the best fit. While there's no exact science in determining which dorm is better, to me, the answer is clear.
Bergsaker's rooms are taller in height, and each side of the room mirrors the other. It's as if an imaginary line separates the room into two perfect halves, allowing for more personal space than a room in Solberg, where the rooms have a strange set-up. Sharing a small dorm room is enough—you don't need to share your desk and your closet space, too.
Solberg residents are studious. So studious, in fact, it seems they rarely leave their rooms other than to eat and go to class. Have you ever walked into the lobby of Solberg to find people studying or just hanging out? It's like a lunar eclipse—rare, yet noteworthy when actually sighted.
Bergsaker, on the other hand, is definitely this year's “party dorm.” Just walk into the spacious, centrally located lobby of Bergsaker and you will find students relaxing on the couches by the television or studying in one of the two brick inlets with a group of friends. The fun, energetic people in Bergsaker's lobby always make things interesting.
Bergsaker also has balconies—a quiet place to study Spanish or strum on the guitar with a group of friends. With the late-night movies in the TV room or dayrooms and the occasional baking of delicious bread, Bergsaker's got it all. Unlike Solberg, the friendly residents of Bergsaker often leave their doors open to invite conversation.
Furthermore, Bergsaker's got a dog.
Kevin Gleason, Bergsaker's Hall Director, owns Mazy, a black border collie who frequently frolics among residents, searching for food and attention. Students that left their pets at home can feed their fix by playing with Mazy, the lovable bundle of energy.
More importantly, though, are the people of Bergsaker contribute to the positive, energetic, intellectual and accepting atmosphere.
In Bergsaker hall, there's always a group just hanging out, studying, or snoozing in the lobby or recreation room. Bergsaker is more than the party—it's also a non-quiet library and a convenient, spontaneous napping place.
Depending on whom you ask, you'll get different responses as to which dorm is better. The constant group-studying, partying and napping just isn't for everyone.
Around 250 students reside in Bergsaker, which is a place to live, not just sleep.
And for Berg's sake, they are definitely livin' it up.
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