Kenyon College Top Questions

The best thing about Kenyon is the professors that take the time to get to know you personally, especially a student's academic adviser. The village of Gambier is small. There are three restaurants, the bookstore, an overpriced small grocery store, and the post office that mostly comprise "downtown." In order to do real shopping, you have to go to Mount Vernon, which is about 5-10 minutes away. The administration think they have a handle on things, but I feel as though they are completely separate from the school itself. Our last big controversy was a scabies outbreak, and that was hilarious but scary. Not everybody buys into the Kenyon mentality, and there are some weird people here, but it all balances out.

Kenyon's community- the students, the professors, bookstore workers, Safety and Security, all of them- is the best thing about this place. We're a friendly, supporting, warm group of people. Sometimes we're awkward, sometimes you walk down Middle Path and hear people very seriously discussing the deeper philosophy of Garfield. It happens more often than it probably should, and we're kind of proud of it. Kenyon is also prone to those "Oh! I'm actually in college!" moments when you're sitting out on the quad and discussing the idea of a meta conversation, or something equally useless and wonderful. The biggest problem right now is that there is a feeling that the administration isn't listening or responding to the needs and desires of the students and professors. Part of it is the ongoing construction projects that don't seem to make a lot of sense, and part of it is the students not wanting anything to change. There are real complaints, but sometimes it isn't as bad as student think.

Kenyon professors are fantastic! Well, some are better teachers than others, but I have yet to meet one that doesn't really care about their students and won't go above and beyond what I expect of them. They invite students into their homes, extend their office hours as long as possible if students need it, really care that we understand what they're trying to teach us, bring treats into class, let us play with their pets, socialize with students, and buy us coffee. I really respect all of my professors. That said, they have very high expectations of our work, which can be exhausting. For some reason, I find it hard to relax and forget about my impending schoolwork on this campus (although I don't drink, so maybe that makes a difference.) I like Kenyon's size. It's easy to walk everywhere, and it's quiet. The student body is big enough that I don't know everyone's name or face, so I can still meet new people pretty regularly. But, it's small enough that I feel comfortable because I usually know someone whereever I go, and we can bond together as a student body pretty easily. I'm a huge fan of the allstu email system- students have to subscribe to it, so not everyone receives them, but anyone can send out uncensored allstus at any time. It can be a pain when everyone's asking for a ride to the airport, or when people send mean, obscene, drunken emails. The allstu is an excellent means for learning about free food, events on campus, funny Youtube videos and other internet sites (particularly during exam time, when the campus wants to procrastinate), important news from around the world, writing bad poetry (like haikus about the scabies outbreak of 2007), and complaining about the administration (for example, why the dorms shouldn't get a swipe card system.) Most people don't know anything about Kenyon, where I'm from, and it's frequently misheard as "Kenya." But people who do know about it are generally impressed. There's no real athletic pride- Kenyon doesn't have a pep band or marching band. Apparently we do have a dance team. But the teams don't usually do very well, and nobody really cares. I like that. Apparently the athletic situation was much the same back in 1950.

Kenyon is a great place where you can really be who you want. There is little or as much pressure in every sphere of college life as one would like. I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. I have been able to do everything I wanted to and even more. I have multiple groups of friends who are very different, but just as fun all the same.

The best thing about Kenyon is the academics. Come rain, come shine, the academics make everything else worth it. I spend most of my time in my room or at the library, alternately doing homework and taking a break from doing homework by chilling with friends, watching movies, etc. Then on the weekends we spend a lot of time at the coffee shop, MiddleGround, which is sort of a social hub, or out at parties in dorm lounges and apartments. There is often a lot of drama surrounding the administration--I think the student body feels that they don't listen enough to student input in making decisions, but really I just think that Kenyon tends to be afraid of change. For example, the whole school is in an uproar over the pending installation of a proxy card security system on the outer doors of the residence halls. It's really just to quell parent fears after stuff like Virginia Tech, but everyone's got their panties in a twist because it's going to be tough to get used to carrying a card everywhere. We LOVE the whole "Kenyon community" thing. We love being able to brag that we don't have to lock our doors at night. I think that's one thing that people have a lot of pride about. The small town close-knit community thing is really what makes us Kenyon. I swear, the admissions brochures aren't lying. We have so much school pride. Nearly everyone who's ever been affiliated with Kenyon--students, faculty, alumni--we don't just like Kenyon, we LOVE Kenyon, and we will talk to you about it all day. If you meet a Kenyon grad on the street, you're automatically best friends. From talking to friends who go to other schools, I think it's rare and very special to love your school as much as we do. And you'll see more spirit wear on campus than you can shake a stick at. We love that purple.

The best thing about Kenyon is how students stick together. It's a small community , and the students are definitely their own little group within it. Unfortunately, the school is trying really hard to be an Ivy-type school with less personality. It used to be that most people at Kenyon were really unique, smart, and usually quirky people, but now it's pretty cookie cutter students from New England prep schools. Again, most people haven't heard of Kenyon, so when I tell them I went there, they kind of go blank. It's OK, I know how good of a school it is, even if they don't. There have been a LOT of recent controversies at Kenyon, most of them to do with the administration making unilateral decisions about student life. I spent most of my time at Middle Ground, the coffee shop on campus, or at the Cove, which used to be the only bar in town. There are a lot of unusual things about Kenyon -- its basically in the middle of a corn field, so you're going to have your unique experiences.

One of my favorite things about Kenyon is the community environment fostered by the relatively small size of the school. This provides for an excellent classroom experience, plenty of opportunities for close interaction with professors, and close relationships with peers.

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It's a little too small in my opinion, but overall it's fine. We need an environment to live in pretty badly though, for this time in our lives, corn fields don't cut it. Iffy and conflicted school pride abounds, irony is usually employed when love of the school is expressed, but most people seem to feel it deep down. Irony is employed in regard to absolutely everything else, so it's hardly a reflection on our commitment to the institution. I'll always remember the various antics of my friends: public recitations of "Love Song of J. Alfred Proofrock", filming pumpkins being thrown out of a window on the 10th floor of the ugliest dorm imaginable. We make something of this place. Frequent student complaints are nonsense: students seem to believe that the school had soul which it is in the process of losing, but this is nostalgic and delusional. It's always in a state of transition, as is every other place. We can look back on the past with pleasure but it's just silly to expect it to stay the same. There will be new and different good things to come, we just need to have a little imagination. We're writers, it shouldn't be that hard.

Probably Kenyon's best quality is its people- students, professors, and most of the staff- who create the atmosphere so associated with the college. If I had to change one thing, it might be the lack of trust that's grown between students and members of the administration in the past year or so. I love the size of the campus, it's wonderful to walk anywhere and 98{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time see someone you could wave and say "hi!" to. A lot of people have never heard of Kenyon, but those who have generally smile and say good things about the quality of education, as well they should! I usually spend much of my time with friends, so that means a lot of time in dorm rooms, the Atrium of the library, and some at Middle Ground or Earnst/Gund (none of us can wait until we can eat a leisurely dinner in Peirce again!). I don't think it matters much to those of us who have chosen to come to Kenyon that it's in the middle of nowhere- by the time you're in your second semester, freshman year, it becomes somewhat of a private campus joke that we're surrounded by cornfields and no one knows where we are. Kenyon's administration is a controversial topic on campus; I think a lot of the older students resent the recent paternalistic approach that we feel has been taken towards matters which directly effect the student body. Interestingly, with the new swipe card and alcohol policies, the controversy really hasn't been so much that they are proposing such plans- many other colleges, including ones comparable to Kenyon have these already, and some of us can see the benefits, even if they are maybe less needful in the Kenyon environment- but rather the problem has been in the way these policies have been introduced to the student body without our input. We've resented the unilateral decisions which seem so antithetical to the sort of community feelings the administration is always touting in our guidebooks and encouraging us to foster once we arrive; such treatment feels very disrespectful and disdainful of the students, and I think maybe really hurt some of the upperclassmen's future dealings with the college.

Most of the time when I tell people I went to Kenyon, their response is "Where?" You most likely won't score any impressive looks from people who ask where you go to college as most people have never heard of it. But if you're among the more literature-versed of crowds, chances are they know about Kenyon and their reaction will be "Wow. That's a really good school." Don't go to Kenyon because you want to impress everyday people on the street with your undergrad credentials: go because you want to be there. If you do, you will have the best four years of your life. I guarantee it. In response to the large boost in applications received every year, the administration has slowly been taking steps to bring Kenyon "up to date" with other colleges in the country. Most of these changes have been met with large volumes of student protest--students want to keep Kenyon feeling like Kenyon. People don't lock their doors, all dorms are open at all hours of the day and night, and a sense of trust exists among the community in Gambier. Some of the biggest controversies in recent memory include the Master Plan to completely overhaul the layout of Kenyon's campus, the proposal to sell the bookstore to Barnes & Noble (which didn't happen thanks to student protests), and the forthcoming installation of ID card readers on all academic buildings and dorms. The students take a lot of pride in Kenyon and its atmosphere and any proposals to "update" the school to be more like bigger state schools have been met with immense opposition from a very vocal student body. At Kenyon, your passions in life probably already have their own club--and if not, start one! There are more traditions--both school-approved and not--than I can recount in one little article, but suffice to say you'll learn them all by the end of your freshman year. The dining hall food isn't the best, but it's available all day and the school recently created a partnership with local farmers to help promote the local agricultural economy. As for what I miss the most, I will never again see an autumn as beautiful as one at Kenyon.

The best thing about Kenyon is middle path. Its long and can either be peaceful at night or in the mornings or you will see all of your friends on the way to classes. I would change the president, Georgia Nugent. She is changing Kenyon for the worst and taking in a direction that the students do not agree with. The school is small in the winter, when you feel a little trapped but its perfect in the sense that you get to know a lot of students and professors. The bonds I have made are closer than my other friends at other large universities. I spend most of my time in South Quad when its warm out or my apartment with my friends. Most likely more time at Pierce when it opens next fall. The college is the town which has its draw backs and advantages. I really dislike the Kenyon administration. They do NOT serve the students needs, and like I previosly stated, are at the moment more concerned with rankings than the cumminity feel. The biggest recent controversy is over the 'spide cards' which would create a feeling of distrust among the students. The administration tried to pass the implimentation of this withoutthe students knowledge. Yes, there is a lot of school pride. The ghost stories and the friendliness of the students are all a bit unusual. Students go out of their way to make others feel comfortable. I will always remember my first 'Shock Your Mom' party. Ask about it. The most frequent student complaints are over the use of cell phones and about the president or the dean of students, Tammy Gocial.

Imagine a college campus off in the woods, on a hill, surrounded by corn fields. This is Kenyon College. For every season of the year--winter being the longest--one can find some small spot on the Hill at its most beauteous. The close-knit community at Kenyon figures as perhaps its strongest feature. When at its best one finds himself compacted into fierce bonds of friendship; he questions how he has only known these people for a tear, two years, six months... But at its worst the social environment feels more like a collection of bubbles sliding up against each other within a closed container. Kenyon offers that sense of remove, invigorating to the poet or philosopher keen on long walks. Those attuned to the niceties of brand name stores and "the best Thai restaurant back home" will find the village pleasantly homey for about two weeks before they devolve into a harangue on the quality of cafeteria food and the solace of their Netflix accounts. Generally, I spend a large portion of my weeknights in an existential quandary outside the local computer lab or game room. On the weekends a largely unimaginative party scene dominates. The students seem content.

I actually think of Kenyon as my home right now. The people I spend my time with at Kenyon are what make the place so great. It sounds sappy, but it's definitely the people that make or break your experience in college. Kenyon students tend to be really friendly, highly motivated, supportive people. When I visited Kenyon during high school, I just felt that the students there were genuine people. However, I do think there's a big problem at Kenyon that's growing very quickly. The administration is completely out of touch with the current students. Unfortunately, I think this is a nation-wide issue. All the colleges in America are trying to get their numbers up, and since Kenyon was recently ranked as one of the "New Ivies," the administration is doing everything it can to look good. The only problem is that they tend to forget about the students they have now, and instead focus on getting Alumni donations and recruiting students that will make the school look better. I think this is the biggest problem that Kenyon students have with the school right now. However, as I said, I think this issue is not just limited to Kenyon. It's definitely something that needs to be dealt with on a larger level. I didn't know this before coming to Kenyon, but our campus is one of the most haunted places in America. It doesn't matter if you believe in ghosts or not, the fact that Kenyon has so many stories about hauntings really makes great conversation. I could spend hours telling my non-Kenyon friends about all of the ghost stories I've heard at school. I've experienced a few unnerving events myself. One thing I should warn you about: Kenyon really is in the middle of nowhere. The town of Gambier has around 300 people, I believe. The student body is around 1600. So don't go to Kenyon if you're not OK with sitting on top of a hill in rural Ohio for 4 years. There's tons of stuff going on all the time, but it's definitely not like we're in the middle of New York City.

Best Thing: I would say the best thing about Kenyon is that is provides a rigorous education in a laid back environment. There are student who are genuinely interested in learning and discussion, not simply in getting a good grade. Along with this academic environment, professors are very open to meeting with students outside of class time. Size: Kenyon is the perfect size for me. The small number of students and the relatively small size of the campus itself means that all my friends are nearby and that I will see them throughout the day as I go to and from class. Administration: There has recently been some grumbles amongst students that the administration is too removed from the concerns of the student body. To an extent I would agree, however the administration, through town hall style forums, is working to remedy this. Complaints: The most frequent complaint is probably about the quality of food and the length the renovation of Pierce Hall (the dining facility) is taking.

Kenyon provides a close, supportive community. It can be like living in a fishbowl, but it is nice to be able to recognize nearly everybody you see. I wish we could pay for laundry on our swipe cards. People are really proud to go to or have gone to Kenyon. Any time you wear Kenyon apparel outside of the area, people will come up to you to talk about Kenyon, saying that they know somebody who's daughter's boyfriend goes there and loves it. All the ghost stories are fun to hear about!

I love my class sizes, and have found a few good friends. resources for students who need help are pretty great. Kenyon is, however, really homogenous and a lot of people here lack real passion to do much of anything. Though I don't know if this is indicative of kenyon or just people of a certain age. Whatever it is, it's something i don't really like. I spend most of my time in my room, with a few friends. A lot of students complain that the food is bad--and it is.

The best thing about Kenyon is the staff. They will bend over backwards to help. And the readon for that is because it is such a small school, at least compared to other institutions. It in itself is its own little town. When I tell people I go to Kenyon, most do not know where that is, and when I say Ohio, they are in shock that I would go there because I am from California. But i spent most of my time in the library, or hanging out. The administration for the time being is still a work in progress. Since there are new people, there is still a trial and error, but that just plain annoys most of the student body. There is not much "school pride". I put that in quotes because all of us here are proud of the school that we are in, but not so much as what we see on tv with the bigger schools. We have pride in the fact that we go to a top school, and that the people, both students and staff/faculty, have the respect for us, as much as we do for them.

I love the size of Kenyon and how you know everything. I would change the food so it's better. Not everyone has heard of Kenyon when I mention, it but those who do think it's a good school. The administration is okay. There is a lot of school pride.

Best thing about Kenyon: my friends and the education I am getting Thing I'd change: paving middle path-- which I think they might do, its hard to walk on it when it is all ice in the winter, and messy in the spring and fall with all the rain. Must be beautiful during the summer-- too bad the students aren't here to enjoy it then! Size of school: some people may think its too small, for me its a good size, I recognize a lot of people, and I can avoid certain people if I want to, and I am still meeting people who are in my class. College town: What college town? EXACTLY! I chose a rural campus on purpose, but I didn't know I would miss the city a lot. One thing that makes it difficult is that the people living in the village and the near-by town are so different, and not as affluent, or don't have a chance at the education that I am receiving. So, I feel a bit of guilt, which I don't want to feel, and I feel some resentment from natives-- which I hope is not true. Administration: in a HUGE changing process right now-- a lot of the seniors say that Kenyon is not the same as when we first came here, and I think that is very true. I don't know if it is because all colleges change or if Kenyon in particular is changing-- and not all of the changes seem that positive. A lot have to do with partying-- the administration wants to cut down on underage drinking and binge drinking-- which is fine, but I think they are doing it in a very bad and unproductive way. Hard alcohol is no longer allowed at registered campus parties (to combat the fact that hard alcohol gets people drunker and quicker) but I feel like that just drives hard alcohol more under ground for the underage kids, and the older kids, and those who know how to handle alcohol don't get to have those fun mixed drinks- especially for things like senior week (when it is only seniors on campus!) That could also be our biggest controversy now-- the party policy, and how the admin is trying to stop lounge parties and put them in Pierce-- our cafeteria. High school much?