By COOPER RATHMANN
609 Emerson is still living up to its name on campus as the freshman dorm where all the crazy stuff happens, and this year is no different. While no one has a direct answer as to how 609 functions the way it does, perhaps it comes from the fact it’s separated from the other four freshman dorms. After looking at it from a 609er’s perspective, it seems that a sense of isolation creates a much stronger internal bond between floormates who struggle through their first year at college together. River Okada’28 says, “So many people are like ‘Oh my god you live at 609?’ but like it’s a really cool place to be. The community is really nice and so good that Cooper [Me] wants to live there too”. However, those continuously developing friendships are often challenged by some of the things that occur regarding living conditions, especially with communal spaces being left completely ravaged.
There have been reports of a so-called “phantom shitter” ever since the beginning of the semester and the person’s motives and identity still remain at large. The residents in 609, more specifically on the second floor, encountered these atrocities firsthand. It’s been so petrifying to the innocent residents using the spaces with the awareness of communal cleanliness or those who just happen to be walking by. Conall Witherite’28, another fellow 609er stated “I’ve definitely seen what they’ve left behind, definitely a few times. It’s disgusting, it smells terrible and just disturbing.” However, Witherite sees the potential light at the end of the tunnel, and “it’s more like a bonding experience since we’re in this together,” which means the unification over taking down the menace will hopefully create life-long friendships. The fact that it’s been recurring over two months is starting to become a concern for the residents and many are becoming rightfully upset that their bathrooms and communal spaces are treated so poorly. River Okada further reinforces this idea by saying, “If you’re coming from a home that’s really sanitary and nice-you know the bathroom is a nice place you want to do your business in private…and if you go in there the mood gets all off”. This therefore is not solely the responsibility of those in charge but rather those unwilling to admit when they’re in the wrong, meaning that one must be aware of the cleanliness people had before the Beloit College experience.
After asking Matthew Narh’28 about how the menace should be punished, he said: “The name and reputation alone would be enough… and I feel like that in of itself and also being told not to do it in public…like that amount of embarrassment should be enough for that paroled amount of time [at least 3 months]”. This is perhaps the most reasonable course of action for 609 to take due to the nature of the situation with anonymity and the eventual realization of the menace will have after it’s all said and done.
Now if one is in the role of maintaining these places for the safety and wellbeing of its residents, how do they act upon such a negligence of being a good floormate? After asking second-floor RA Jeffrey Battle’26 about his time as the RA, he says “It’s been hard. But you know some of the kids are good” Although it comes with its inevitable disciplinary scenarios in the context of the 609 menace he believes “I think personally that it’s brought my kids together since the GroupMe blows after someone texts ‘bro they struck again!’ it’s kind of like Among Us.” This little game of Clue is beginning to spiral down the drain and Battle now is under the presumption that “It’s really frustrating, at least to me, where I try to do everything, I can-and I am-but at the same time I just want a little bit more of a result”. One may never find that result and unfortunately, that’s one of the things Battle has come to terms with after the number of incidents the menace has left behind.
Since no person is willing to take accountability for their actions, the blame tends to fall on Mr. Battle every time the perpetrator strikes again however he strongly refutes the silly claims it’s him since he is “always in his room as soon as someone says they struck again. So how can I be at two places at one time?” It’s easy enough to blame anyone assumed, which highlights the danger of being incorrectly labeled as the perpetrator, leaving one with a burden that will stick with them long enough to drive them crazy.
Now, this may simply be an overreaction because, at the end of the day, it’s college, meaning there will be times when the spaces used by all aren’t kept up respectively. However, it still affects the community overall since it not only diminishes trust among friends but also tarnishes the hard work of the RAs that keep the place under control and comfortable for all residents. Additionally, the extent of these actions is beyond the levels of just leaving the sink running or overflowing a trash can with paper towel because one is actively choosing to disregard their bathroom business and force others to take care of it, which is a complete disregard for respect for the community. I asked 609er Demir Kasapoğlu’28 about his current residency and although he said he’d “prefer to be in a war-torn country sometimes”, he still likes “the community that’s built around feels like family”. Therefore, the experience of living in 609 is what one makes of it, and someone’s selfish actions shouldn’t interfere with the experience of college and making lasting friendships in the first year.
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