It’s official: Brandeis is tearing down most of the Castle. Brandeis students have had mixed reactions to this news, some being thrilled with the removal of what they considered an eyesore, and some mourning the loss of one of campus’s quirkiest features. Among Brandeis students, the Castle is known for its less-than perfect construction. Complaining about the Castle is a hallmark of Brandeis culture.
When Brenda* first moved into the castle, she had some seriously awkward moments. First, she heard her next door hallmate break up with her boyfriend through the paper-thin walls. The breakup went on for an hour, and because of the castle’s poor insulation, Brenda had to listen to the entire debacle while sitting in her room. “It was like they were in the room with me” Brenda explained, “The walls were so thin that I could hear every word perfectly”. The next week, Brenda’s friend discovered that there was a hole in the wall between her room and the stairwell, through which passersby could look in and see straight into her bedroom.
If you ask anyone who has lived in the Castle about their experience, you will likely hear stories similar to Brenda’s. Castle horror stories of crumbling ceilings, huge bugs, and thin walls have become a paradigm of Brandeis culture. Despite the building’s poor condition, Brandeis students are sorrowful about the impending loss of the Castle. This is because poking fun at the Castle’s dilapidated structure has become an essential part of the Brandeis experience. The Castle’s flaws are frustrating, but endearing.
Despite its structural decay, Brandeis students still appreciate the Castle’s fun, distinctive exterior. Whenever someone from my hometown in California asks about Brandeis, one of the first things I bring up is “We have a Castle that you can live in!” Brandeisians and Brandeis outsiders alike appreciate the Harry Potter-esque vibe of the Castle’s design. Of course, when talking with Brandeis outsiders, I don’t bring up the sorry state of its structure.
Introverts have always appreciated some of the castle’s architectural difficulties. The castle’s traditional key entrance, labyrinths of halls, and endless stairs make it a paradise for those who want to be left alone. The castle also has some of campus’s largest singles hidden in its cavernous towers.
The Castle’s non-traditional, cavernous design places it at the center of Brandeis lore. It is a common pastime of Brandeisians to search the Castle for secret passageways and hidden rooms. The creaky floors and clausterphobic hallways contribute to its mysterious, old-fashioned spirit.
The Castle’s charm is in its imperfections. Some of the things that make it less convenient to live in, such as the key entrance and cavernous passageways, are what make it quirky and interesting. In conclusion, the aspects of the Castle that we complain about today will be the same things that future Brandeisians will miss.