College dorms, full of loud music blaring at 1:00 a.m,  clogged shower drains filled with hair and elevators broken for weeks on end, often aren’t the most soothing or comfortable place to be living. Does Grand Mesa fit this stereotypical picture?

Grand Mesa, one of the older dorms on campus, luckily does not fit these stereotypes, but it still comes with an assortment of problems, as myself and other residents have experienced. 

One big downside of living in Grand Mesa is that it lacks a kitchen space. Only one microwave, stove and oven is to be seen in the entire building, making the option of cooking only convenient to those living on the fourth floor. 

The reason for only having one community kitchen in Grand Mesa is nonsensical. It raises questions as to why the dorm is so expensive. Along with the lack of community kitchens in Grand Mesa, there is also a lack of common spaces in the building. 

Compared to other similarly priced dorms on campus, Grand Mesa would have to rank last in the category of common spaces. “Common areas” are  more of an assortment of untouched furniture laid out on each side of the hallway than a living room, causing no one to ever sit in these oddly-arranged areas.

With this lack of common space comes another problem: no sense of community throughout the building. Other dorms lined with large couches, tables and TVs create a safe space for people to connect, whether through studying or watching TV together. 

Not only is a proper common space provided in other dorms, but many dorms also provide game rooms and ping-pong tables, as well as other amenities, all increasing the overall sense of community. 

Being able to study, cook and play games with others in the building creates a sense of camaraderie that allows students to reach out and connect, all of which Grand Mesa lacks. 

While Grand Mesa does have its problems, there are some definite upsides to living in this dorm. The rooms are quite spacious, with double-sized rooms having more than enough space for two people to sprawl their things about. 

Whether in a single or double, Grand Mesa also provides a large living area inside the dorm, which allows for a great study space or place to hang out with friends. 

The available storage in each room at Grand Mesa is also exceptional, with space under the bed, a dresser, closet and drawers by the sink. 

Overall, Grand Mesa ranks low with its amenities, with only one kitchen and computer room in the entire building, as well as weirdly small common spaces. From what it lacks, there is the plus side of abundant storage space and large rooms to those living in a double or single.

I personally would not recommend a friend to live here, but if you are someone who needs their own personal space and has a lot of stuff, then Grand Mesa is the dorm for you.