Freshman year, one’s residence hall choice will define the outcome of one’s first year in the semi-real world. However, the excitement freshmen feel when they move into their home for the next four years can sometimes be diminished if they did not get their first pick for their residence hall.

While the ever-popular Kiewit might seem like the place to be, I would argue that freshmen who ended up in the much less-flashy Gallagher shouldn’t be too disappointed; they may end up having the better experience.

I myself lived in Gallagher and earned a mixed bag of experience. On the one hand, it is very easy to meet people in Gallagher because it is so small. While some floors may be more reclusive, it is pretty easy to identify the more sociable people. Gallagher formed a tight-knit community where everyone knew or at least recognized everyone. If you are looking for a close community, Gallagher is where you will find it.

There are some drawbacks, however. A small community like Gallagher means that you will know everyone’s business, whether you want to or not. Gossip prances around the halls and into each and every room. Another disadvantage is the age of Gallagher. During my second semester freshman year, the hall flooded from broken pipes, and strange yellowish water fell down the stairs, leaving a nice surprise for students still up at 3 in the morning. Considering the hall was built in 1961, I suppose it makes some sense that the age shows.

Kiewit is a strong competitor for best freshmen residence hall on campus. Originally built as an all-female residence hall in 1966, Kiewit is the largest freshmen residence hall, housing (so many) students as well as the Freshman Leadership Program on the ninth floor. Half the freshmen on campus will find a home here. Despite also being built in the ‘60s, the age of Kiewit shows much less compared to its smaller counterpart. The showers are nicer, the mailing office is right in the basement, and the elevators are efficient and actually work. In Kiewit, a freshman should be able to achieve the prime social life, given the wide variety of students, in theory…

However, what I’ve noticed about Kiewit is that its setup isolates its residents. The doors and the large common area that separates each floor down the middle serve as barriers, preventing residents from meeting their neighbors across the way. The numerous floors also discourage a hall community and prevent any amount of closeness. I recall many of my classmates meeting each other for the first time and coming to the realization that they both live on the same floor.

All in all, I would say that Creighton designed Kiewit to give new students the typical freshman experience. On top of that, Kiewit has been kept in better condition and the amount of residents is plentiful. Gallagher is a bit of a mess, some of the floors smell, and it’s prone to breakdowns, but it has a special charm that can only be found at home. It has personality and there’s plenty of opportunity to meet people. Because freshmen have just left home, Gallagher provides that new home that many students miss.

I’m fully willing to admit that Gallagher is flawed. Very flawed. But those flaws allow the residence to foster its community. We are united in the fortunate misfortune to reside in Gallagher.