Some say that Morse College is ugly.
Such people do not see how the college resembles architect Eero Saarinen’s inspiration: a Tuscan village. They do not see the unique charm in the lack of right angles and walls made from local rock and vertically poured cement. Any Morse-dweller can tell you that Morse’s charm cannot be found by looking at the walls (though hordes of architecture students from across the Eastern seaboard traipse through the college every year to do just that). No, Morse’s ethos rests inside its walls.
The courtyard, with a pop-art sculpture known as “The Lipstick,” is a popular place to play frisbee and attack innocent pedestrians with snowballs. When Dean Rosemary Jones’ toddler, Isobel, rolls in the leaves or Master Stanton Wheeler’s dogs attempt a quick getaway, we are reminded of how life operates outside a dorm. (This tradition will no doubt continue with the arrival of the new Master Frank Keil’s Lhasa apso in the fall.)
Morse students have a fabulous living situation, beginning with spacious rooms in Durfee Hall and moving on to the mostly single bedrooms of Morse.
Below ground, one finds a well-stocked student kitchen, a game/TV room known as Ericka’s Room, several music practice rooms, a weight room, darkroom and the only residential college recording studio. The most frequented basement spot, however, is “The Morsel” — a short-order diner in the corner of the common room. The Morsel’s allure of wonderful cheap food, conversation, pool tables and foosball has led to many over-extended study breaks for Morse residents.
We are located across the street from Payne Whitney Gymnasium and seconds away from the Yale Bookstore, Gourmet Heaven (the mini-grocery) and the specialty shops along Broadway. Plus, we are right behind the brand new student organization offices for convenient meetings.
November is a favorite month when we co-host Casino Night with our partner in crime, Ezra Stiles College. Ranked among the top ten college parties by Rolling Stone magazine, Casino Night offers the chance to be a big (fake) spender and swing to the sounds of big band. The dining hall also houses smaller dances and performances throughout the year.
Master Wheeler’s love of music led him to transform his living room into an intimate music venue several times each semester. We look forward to Master Keil’s new interests to bring a different spark to Morse. No doubt he will size up his audience well, because he is the current director of undergraduate studies of both the Cognitive Science and Psychology departments.
Kathryn Banakis is a junior in Morse College.