The evolution of the American college dorm
From the simply furnished rooms of the world's first campuses to today's luxury residence halls, let's examine the ever-changing ways that students live. Students' ivory tower Early dorms were enclosed and simply furnished, meant to separate students from the outside world and to provide more privacy for classes and reflection. This concept of the ivory tower lasted for decades. "If you look at the dorms of the Harvard yard, the windows and doors are all on the yard side," says Jonathan Zimmerman, Director of the New York University's History of Education Program. "Basically, what you see from the outside is a wall." Dorms for male and female students Traditionally, residence halls were occupied by male students who were forced to observe strict dress codes, compulsory church services, and dorm rules of various kinds.