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?

kenyon is perfect for the right kind of person. most of the complaints are about administration. i agree with a lot of the complaints that kenyon is heading in a new direction. the campus feels different to me than it did when I visited, and that says a lot. maybe its the people, or perhaps it's the administration, but i dont feel very connected to the 'big picture' here. absolutely there isnt enough conversation between students and the administration. what little there is isnt often taken serisouly by students, either because they've lost trust in the administration, or they simply do not care. also, we aren't as progressive as other schools, as a community. sure, we can yell at each other when we don't want our dorms locked, but we have no solutions to make kenyon better for future students.

The school is way too small, and it is crucial that they build new dorms to fit more upcoming students. No one seems to know about Kenyon, so it should make haste to advertise a bit more. The professors are smart and enjoy collaborating with students, although they sometimes can be dull and highly ambiguous. Sadly, the frequent complaints are about the state of the food and its outrageous prices, and about the tension between students and the administrations.

The best thing about Kenyon is the campus. It has many gorgeous old buildings, new buildings, and plans for buildings in the future. I love that I can walk anywhere on campus in fifteen minutes or less. The one thing I'd change is the location of the dining halls. Fortunately, this will be corrected when the Pierce renovation is completed. I think Kenyon's size is just right, although it can seem too small after a breakup or fight, because you see everybody so often. I split most of my time between my room or a friend's apartment, and the physics building (I'm a major, and with three labs this semester I almost live there!) Gambier is very small, but I love how it blends in with the campus. Students know, and are friends with workers in the local market and the bars (we have two bars now). Gambier would be ruined if any chain, such as Wal-Mart, moved in. While driving the ten or fifteen minutes to Mt. Vernon can be annoying, I like that we are separated from it. Although I do not always agree with the decisions of the administration, I do believe that they are doing a good job of keeping Kenyon a competitive and safe school. This year, the largest controversy has been the decision to put locks on the campus dorms. Currently the dorms are open all day and night, so that anybody can enter them. This is very convenient for students, but is a large liability for the school. The board of trustees has decided to install a proximity card system, and are currently in the process of deciding when the doors should be locked. There is a lot of Kenyon pride, but we don't show it very well at sporting events. People care the most about Kenyon's attitude and reputation, and pull together to support the good on campus and protest the bad (such as vandalism at the beginning of the year).

Kenyon is a very small and friendly community. The size can become suffocating at points, but after being at the school for a semester, one is thoroughly inundated with "Kenyon Culture." Kenyon is certainly a unique school and many of the events and folkways that occur here could not happen at other schools with larger populations and increased exposed to the outside world. We take pride in our bubble and sometimes may be carried away by small issues that appear odd to an outsider. The biggest recent controversy was the decision of the administration to add swipe cards to the outside of the dorms. Students were outraged because they were only consulted a few times (amazing considering most schools do not consult students about board decisions.) Additionally, this security precaution is viewed as diminishing the Kenyon community, where students hardly lock their door and leave personal items sitting around without fear of having them stolen. You recognize almost everyone on campus and their is clearly a bond among students, the few residents of Gambier, faculty, and staff. Living here is almost like living in a time warp.

The sense of community and belongingness is amazing here. There is a great support system, whether it is fellow students, professos, advisors, etc. Many people that I have told I was attending Kenyon had no clue what I was talking about. So, I come to conclusion that many EDUCATED folks have heard about Kenyon, while a few others may have heard of it. There is isn't much school pride, however, everyone on campus has some type of Kenyon apparel. And the most frequent student complaints are the internet connection/bandwidth, the showers, the cafeteria food, and the weather.

Best thing: The KAC I'd change: the state that it's located in .. OHIO BLOWS!!! Kenyon is waaaay 2 small you can't hook up with someone on Friday without seeing them on Saturday People look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them to go to Kenyon What?? Kenyon? Where is that Africa??? WHat!!! OHio ... no way man! What?? You don't have a Wal-Mart in your town?? I spend most of time in the library or at the KAC COllege town?? Hahah WE ARE THE TOWN! biggest recent controversy: Someone broke the vending machine during the black out..there was glass everywhere SCHOOL PRIDE??? HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA hardly any kids go to the games the football guys are great about supporting all the teams.. but hardly anyone goes to their games it's a shitty situation if you ask me A couple of my friends took my sledding Virginity it was awesome! The most frequent complaint is def. the food... AVI wants us to eat homegrown food but can we please start with edible.

I like the campus a lot. It is very open and pretty, especially South campus. The athletic center is very good - it has a range of things to do and it's still new, so all the facilities are state-of-the-art. I like the size - I don't know everyone who goes here; it's always nice to meet new people who happen to be acquainted with friends or people who are completely outside your circle. Fortunately, the small campus gives Kenyon a more community feel - there are less cliques and more openness than at my high school, which had about 700 more people crowded into a smaller space. I think I would change the administration. Although I do not know them very well (or perhaps because I don't), I find it hard to connect and agree with things that they do. I do not feel respected by the President of Kenyon and some of the Deans. People Nugent has hired seem to view college students as young children. I feel a huge disconnect between the administration and the students. I also feel like there is some disconnect between the staff and the administration. This does not create an aura of trust. Kenyon may have problems accepting change, but this is not necessarily a bad thing - the administration, however, seems to think it is. Any project they want to initiate that the students do not is blamed on our inability to change, even if the students have a legitimate argument. For example, the administration has felt pressure from parents to put in swipe cards to get into the dorms and possibly the academic buildings. They claim that it is for our safety; it could prevent bomb threats and incidents like Virginia Tech (VT had swipe cards, however). Obviously, swipe cards are not going to prevent bombs or bomb threats. Kenyon residents hold doors open for other people, which could give someone with a bomb access. Swipe cards are definitely not going to protect students from bombs placed outside the building, either. The moral here is that if someone wants to gain access to a building for good or ill, they will. Swipe cards are easily stolen, lost, or bypassed. This is logic, not inability to accept change. -the swipe card issue may be more about liability than anything else. If something does happen, Kenyon leaves itself vulnerable to attack if it does not have swipe cards. This is a logical reason, even if the people who attack are not being logical. If the administration would just admit this, I think Kenyon students would be less annoyed. At the moment, we feel lied to and belittled. Overall, I do not think Kenyon students are happy with the administration. We believe they are taking Kenyon to a place we don't want to go - we want to remain unique, but it is hard when the charm of Kenyon is being wiped out by modern-style buildings, conservatism, and an era of mistrust. However, I may be a little annoyed because the tuition is so high, which I (perhaps mistakenly) blame on the administration. If I am on campus, I usually am in an academic building or one of the study lounges. I also like to go to the garden at the Brown Family Environmental Center when it is warm out, which has wireless internet access, so I can do work and be outdoors. Gambier is mostly Kenyon - there is access to food, books, school supplies, mail, etc., but unfortunately to buy more exotic things (like non-Kenyon clothing), we must travel to Mount Vernon (a five-minute drive). I prefer this, though, because it means that I am not tempted to buy too much and going to pick up something simple like an air freshener turns into a road trip with your friends.

Kenyon has taught me many lessons I think it's in a unique position to provide. For example, if I were at a school in a city, I doubt I would have learned how to entertain myself. If you cannot interact comfortably with people without a drink or two in your system, this may not be the place for you because we educate through interaction. I feel safe here, which liberates me. And as much as I get bored occasionally seeing the same people constantly and with the middle-of-nowhere Ohio setting, I'm grateful for its people, who compensate for these. I have found about 85{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students to be friendly, bright, and approachable. There are people here who get caught up on their image, particularly pretentious cigarette-smoking English majors, but they are still redeemed by and large because they are kind and genuinely interested in other people. I make an effort to get to know the professors I respect and they are a great part of my love for this place: I walk their dogs, house-sit for them, go out to coffee or lunch with them, and am invited to their houses for meals with their families. They are professional and appreciate their role and its boundaries, but I still feel comfortable speaking to them about substantial topics. As for Gambier, it may not be thrilling, but it is beautiful and navigable, and I like that. If I need exotic food, there's an Indian restaurant 10 minutes away. If I need to shop for food, there's a Kroger. We have a beautiful gym, but when it's cold, I hate walking down there.

The best thing about Kenyon is the sense of community. I first got a taste of Kenyon when I came here for a two-week writing program the summer before my senior year of high school. Even though there weren't many students around at the time, I loved the fact that everywhere I went people smiled and said "hi" to me. Gambier is super small (only 350 full-time residents), and the village doesn't have a single traffic light. Everytime you go outside you see someone you know. Students share post office boxes with other students and run into professors while checking mail at the post office, and you'll inevitably go to dinner at a professor's house at least once during your time here. People are here because they genuinely want to be here. Students are curious, ambitious, and open to seeing things from a different angle. I've never met anyone here who hated Kenyon, and that enthusiasm is contagious. As a result, students and professors care intensely about the current state and the future of the college. When something doesn't seem right, students get talking about it. Recently there's been some controversy over the possibility of installing a proximity card lock system on the dorms. As it stands right now, the dorms have never been locked. Each dorm room has a lock, of course, but you can walk right into any building here. Overall, Kenyon and Gambier are extremely safe. I've walked home alone at night and not felt scared or threatened, there are blue light emergency phones all over campus, and security vans are always patrolling the streets. However, the administration says that installing locks on the dorm is a liability issue. Students are concerned that having the locks will take away from Kenyon's character and its trusting environment. Instead of just whining about it, students held a protest when the trustees came to campus to discuss the locks. Lately it seems like there have been more issues than ever with the administration. There's been turnover in some of the higher-up offices, and I suppose that naturally you'll get people who are unhappy with the "new regime." I think the biggest problem with it is that sometimes it doesn't seem like the administration really talks to the students or informs us about its plans until after those plans have been put in place. Kenyon was also in a news in 2004, when students stood in line until 3am to vote in the presidential elections. The village had only allotted two voting machines for students and residents, and some people stood in line for ten hours. That's a sign of Kenyon students' devotion. I went to a high school which doesn't send many students to liberal arts colleges. When I tell people from Euclid that I go to Kenyon, they usually say "What? You go to school in Africa?" (Amusingly, Kenyon's bookstore sells a shirt that says "Kenyon is not near Uganda.") However, Kenyon is pretty highly regarded among liberal arts colleges and the academic world in general. On campus, I like to hang out at Middle Ground, the cafe/coffeehouse. It's a great place to study or meet up with friends, and they make incredible breakfasts.