Colorado Mesa University (CMU) has a wide range of dorm halls for students to choose from which have their pros and cons, including the expense. This school year I lived in Rait during the first semester and moved to Tolman this semester. Though they are nearly identical in layout and design, I find myself enjoying Tolman drastically more.
Getting right into it, there is a very downtrodden and heavy feeling within Rait. More often than not, it is pitch black in the hallways by 2 p.m. and nobody knows or talks to each other. The staircase in Rait feels like those TikToks that are meant to make you dissociate and have an inner crisis.
When you are sitting in your room in Rait you have to go on a Skyrim quest just to get to the vending machine for a late-night snack. The drab interior and overwhelming sense of unease amongst the residents of Rait truly rubs off on you; living in any of its claustrophobic rooms makes the days feel like weeks.
I’ve found Tolman to be much more pleasant. Everyone there seems to be in high spirits often, and the building is adequately lit. Imagine that! There is a vending machine right at the bottom of the stairs that gives you what you request, and the elevator works– most of the time. An additional perk is that Tolman is a direct shot to the University Center, so if you have business there you can always rely on it being a quick trip.
I am still surprised at the difference I felt in Tolman versus Rait, despite their similarities on paper. My mood improved quite a bit when I decided to move, though this could also be attributed to the fact that I got a single in Tolman, which gives me space to just be alone, a feeling I often seek.
There are lots of buildings to choose from on-campus and I’ve learned it’s best to choose wisely and figure out what the main opinion on each building is. There is no need to live uncomfortably for a few months when it could’ve been avoided. I would rate Rait as a 4/10 and Tolman as an 8/10.
