(Image stolen (errr...borrowed) from Great Mobile Homes of Mississippi which is one of the most outrageous [and funniest] sites on the web).
But the spartan surroundings that I endured when attending college just won't cut it with today's college freshmen. With competition for students at an all time high, many colleges today are building high-end dorm rooms that feature amenities you would find in fine homes or 4-star hotels. Many campuses feature fitness centers, cybercafes, and even Cold Stone Creamery outlets to ensure that the modern campus experience is just as cushy as the lifestyle that students enjoyed while living at home. We wouldn't want you to have to walk off campus just to get a pizza now would we?
Time magazine has published a slide show that traces the evolution of the dorm room through the ages. This recently completed dorm room patio from the University of California at Irvine is nicer than the patio at my house! If you want to start at the beginning of the slide show, click here.
Discussion Questions for Students:
1) How important are dorm room amenities in your selection of a college?
2) What dorm room and campus features are important to your college selection decision?
3) Would you rather have palatial surroundings at college or lower tuition? What amenities would you be willing to do without to lower college costs and potentially your tuition bill?