Kenyon College Top Questions

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?