There are many great things about Miami University. Despite a few negative aspects, living on Western Campus is one of them. However, it’s a little different from living other places on campus. If you've lived there, there are a few things you definitely know:
1. Western is actually on the eastern side of campus.
You know that Western Campus was given its name not because of its geographical location, but because it was once home to Western College. However, you also know that you have to explain this to just about everyone who visits you on campus. (Luckily there’s no West Quad, because that would just be way too confusing).
2. Getting to main campus can be almost impossible.
If you’re trying to make your way to Maple Street, Central Quad, or South Quad, there is absolutely no good way to get there. You either have to go out of your way to the light at Spring, walk through the woods (which have no sidewalks and unavoidable patches of mud) to get to the crosswalk, or risk your life dashing across Patterson, where everyone drives 40 mph even though the speed limit is 25 mph. Like really, Miami? Would it kill you to move the crosswalk up a little bit?
3. Getting to the Rec is a workout in itself.
As mentioned in my previous point, the Rec-center is not only difficult to get to, but also pretty much across campus. By the time I get there I’ve already worked up a sweat and am starting to wonder what the point of working out even is anymore. North Quad gets to have their own Rec-center now, so why doesn’t Western?
4. You have the best dining hall on campus.
Not everything about living on Western is bad. You also know that you have the best dining hall on campus just a short walk from your dorm. There’s no need to worry about having to trek across campus to meet your friends for dinner, because they’ll almost always be up for going to Western.
5. The intersection at Patterson and Spring is the bane of your existence.
It seems like 90 percent of the time you’re just far enough from the light as you see walk signal counting down, and you know there’s no chance of making it. Then you proceed to wait there for about a year and end up being late to wherever you’re heading. However the 10 percent of the time when you get there just as you hear “walk sign is on for all crossings” you do a happy dance and think about how blessed you are.
6. Beware of Peabody.
It could all just be a rumor, but you’re certainly not going to tempt fate in the event that Helen Peabody’s ghost might be roaming the halls – especially if you’re a guy.
7. “You live where?”
When people ask you where you live on campus, you get one of two responses. If you answer something along the lines of McKee, Clawson, or Thomson, they’ll most likely say, “You live where?”. After all, most people can’t actually be bothered to venture past Western Dining Commons. However, if you tell them Beechwoods, Hillcrest, or Stonebridge, they probably exclaim something like, “I’m so jealous!”.
8. It’s actually beautiful.
With its fountain, stone bridges, old buildings, and pond area, Western could easily be the prettiest part of campus. A lot of people don’t realize this because Western is off the beaten path, but its a perfect example of why sometimes you should take the road less traveled.
Last but not least, if you're lucky enough to live on Western, you know that there’s no place quite like it.
