By snoadmin
For students living in Cal State Long Beach’s residence halls, dorm life can be quite different from home. However, several students have found ways to make their rooms more personal and inviting.
Residence Commons Coordinator Elizabeth Miller said Housing & Residential Life will not interfere with students decorating as long as it does not damage the rooms or violate safety guidelines.
Miller said she has seen a lot of students rearrange their furniture and use various bed-lifting strategies to change a room’s flow and provide more storage space. She said she also sees students use special lighting and fancy entertainment setups to create unique atmospheres.
History student Kellen Boaz said he uses posters and jerseys to make his walls unique. Boaz said when he is in his room, there are lots of people around who keep him from feeling lonely.
Sophomore music composition student Austin Meiners said his Mickey Mouse sheets and Ninja Turtles comforter make him feel most at home. He said he also feels comfortable in his room because he and his roommate, also a music major, have multiple instruments in their space.
Miller said the housing staff tends to stay out of students’ decisions to rearrange their rooms as long as the students will be able to leave at the end of the year with their rooms in their original condition. She said students should make sure not to damage the walls or carpet when they decorate.
Miller said they do step in when residents change their rooms in ways that could be dangerous. She said they discourage students from raising their beds too high, which could make the beds unstable, and they do not allow candles or hot plates.
“I have pictures that I have taken. I print out the ones that I like and put them up on the walls,” said sophomore biology student Marie Rippen. “I have my pillows from home and my teddy bear and my television; and that’s all I need.”
“[I use] a lot of decorations and a little mess,” said sophomore interior architectural design student Julia Huart. “And, most importantly, I have my fish Sir Percy.”
Miller said she has seen many students, like Huart, who keep non-poisonous fish in their rooms. She said a lot of people like to use lighting and effects to make the tanks decorative.
For instance, Huart keeps a castle in her tank, which she said is “fitting for a knight.”
And, of course, some students don’t need any help at all to feel comfortable. One business student who lives in Parkside Commons said he feels at home because he walks around naked when nobody is around.
