First-years Rebecca Senft, Molly Feldman and their roommates Jessie Bacha and Paige Stover occupy this uniquely configured Wharton quad. Typically, first-year quads comprise of two singles branching out from a double. However, a month into the semester, the girls converted the double into a lounge and study area and each of the two singles into double sleeping rooms. The girls, who are relatively early sleepers and risers, wanted the sleeping rooms behind closed doors. “Drawing the lines between sleeping and socializing made us more communal,” Senft said. Feldman welcomed the change for different reasons. “I grew up never studying in my bedroom so having my desk and bed in the same place [felt] weirdly disjointed,” she said.
The current Thanksgiving and Halloween decorations lend a seasonal atmosphere to the room. Halloween and fairy lights hang from the ceiling, while miniature pumpkins line the windowsill. “Its kind of like a kindergarten classroom in here in terms of decoration,” Senft said. The main room has a homey atmosphere as the girls have divided it into distinct kitchen, relaxation, dining and study areas. Comfortable arrangements are helped by the furniture; Bacha brought the table and lamps, Senft brought the futon and the guys living in the 3rd floor quad donated their desk chairs.
Whilst Feldman prefers the greater availability of space, Senft favors the interaction of Quad life. “You get to know more people and make connections so it’s more social than if you live in a double.” Feldman enjoys the company of their guys’ quad neighbors.
“It’s the ultimate sibling relationship. We’re the responsible older sisters and they’re the fun younger brothers,” Feldman said.
And according to Senft, “they’re a constant source of entertainment.” The social aspect of the quad allows the girls to host friends in the room rather than the hall lounge and host specs on their futon. Despite these comforts, there are usually no more the three residents in the room at any given time.
“We’re never here,” Feldman confessed. A proud admission statistic of being the only freshman from Rhode Island, Feldman knew no one else matriculating, except a fellow spec whom she met last year. Both of the specs stayed overnight while visiting Swarthmore in another AB Wharton quad. Lo and behold, Feldman and her co-spec were assigned as roommates. “It was a dream come true,” she said.
