When it comes to rankings, Andrews University does not disappoint. In Niche’s 2027 Best Christian Colleges rankings, AU placed 17th out of 539, and is also ranked as the most diverse college in America. Despite these favorable ratings, Andrews has flaws, like any other campus. Many students at AU have recommendations about ways to improve.
One of the biggest complaints about Andrews University is the state of the buildings. “Of all the buildings, I’d say the Lamson dorms need the most improvement,” says Ella Taylor (freshman, fine art). Taylor’s dorm door doesn’t close, and although she called maintenance, the issue was never resolved. Friends and family of hers who also lived in Lamson have also complained. Her cousin had a room with mold in it, and one of her friend’s air conditioner doesn’t work.
According to Kierra Wilson (sophomore, psychology), mold is a recurring issue in Lamson Hall. “Even though the suite side is renovated, many people on the community side are having mold issues,” she added.
“Older buildings, like Lamson, have damaged ceiling tiles,” says Ella-Mae Gibson (sophomore, medical laboratory science). “You can see cobwebs in some areas; they clearly need deeper cleaning.”
Lamson Hall is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to older buildings. “I’ve heard Meier Hall isn't great either,” Taylor says. “My brother told me the water's full of sulfur, so all the toilets, sinks and showers are stained red.” Taylor also says many of the buildings are old, especially the art and design building. The smell of the Science Complex disgusts her.
Where smells are concerned, Wilson says the library isn't her favorite and needs better lighting. She also thinks the sidewalks are a safety hazard. “They have a lot of bumps, divots and cracks, and there are plenty of places where people can travel. Also, in some areas, rain puddles are impossible to avoid.”
Wilson said if she had the option of changing only one thing on campus, it would be the co-curricular policies. “With the amount of studying I have to do, co-curriculars can be inconvenient, especially the 12 chapel credits. If you miss a few chapels, you're out of luck. I know some people just don't want to go, but there are times when I have had to study and couldn't. I enjoy them for the most part, but they can be annoying.”
Gabriella Cote (senior, marketing) feels the same way. She wishes there were more opportunities to get chapel credits than on Thursdays, and dislikes that they are mandatory. The fines do not help matters. For the first co-curricular credit missed, students must pay $17. For each subsequent credit missed, you pay an additional $17. With so much of their time consumed by work and school, students think this punishment is unreasonable.
Despite whatever issues they may have with Andrews, things here are not all bad. Regardless of their complaints, a lot of our current students would happily recommend their alma mater to graduating high school seniors. However, Wilson says that prospective students should consider what they want out of their college experience. “If you are very academically focused, it’s definitely worth it. A lot of people go to top-tier grad schools after graduating from here. But if you are looking for a life that is more about activities and having fun, then this isn't necessarily the place for you.”
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.