Life in "Tut"

When starting freshman year, the first step is deciding where to live. There are numerous different types of dorms to choose from. Students choose from all girls, all boys, coed, and even apartment style dorms. For girls, Tutwiler seems to be the location of choice. However, these dorms aren’t anything special compared to the suite style dorms, and they are packed with thousands of females and absolutely no males. Also, they are so tiny and trying to pack all your belongings into the small space is a nightmare. Still, every year girls apply for housing early to make sure they get into Tutwiler hall. So, what makes girls fight over these dorms every year? And what do they get out of living in Tutwiler?
Most girls will tell you that you experience great sisterhood bonding. When girls ask where to live before they enter The University of Alabama, most girls, even parents, will suggest living in Tutwiler because it is a great way to meet new friends. Betty Shaw, a freshman living in Tutwiler this year, exclaimed that when she asked which dorm to live in, “no one hesitated to respond with Tutwiler, everyone claimed that it would be the best way to meet tons of people.” There are almost one thousand girls in the thirteen-story building, providing plenty of opportunities to meet friends. Most girls who live there now will confirm that this has been true.
Morgan Harrison, a freshman living on the fourth floor of Tutwiler, claims that living in Tutwiler has been an excellent experience. “It’s like living in a giant walk in closet, all the girls are willing to share anything. I’ve met friends just asking to borrow a hairdryer!” Others also claim that they thought living without boys would be hard especially at a huge school where its harder to meet people, however, most come to find that living in an all girls dorm is actually really relaxing and easy. “You can walk about in your pj’s looking like you just rolled out of bed, even when it’s five in the afternoon and no one would even question you, most likely because they’re wearing the same thing. It’s awesome,” claims Betty. Another huge reason girls make sure they get into Tutwiler is due to the excellent location, right across from the Bryant-Denny stadium, and of course, sorority row.
Because the Greek life is so big at the University of Alabama, girls who plan on being in a sorority desperately want to live near the sorority houses. Tutwiler provides this location. During rush especially, living in Tutwiler is the easiest way to go. It is very convenient and not a far walk to anything. It’s a great way to meet people, because most likely 75% of the girls in your sorority will end up living in Tutwiler. It makes it easy to be in the prime location during game days or Greek events. Even girls who did not pledge a sorority benefit from meeting great friends who did and are most likely more informed about the Fraternity parties; because as a freshman it’s hard not to feel intimidated by all the major events, but going with girls they have met from living together makes the situation much less awkward. Melody Hoffman, also a freshman, dropped out of rush after a couple of days, however she still loves all the Greek events and attends with other sorority members every weekend. “I don’t even feel like I dropped out, I get all the experience I need just hanging out with all the girls on my floor, and I feel like I have a very diverse group of friends from living in Tutwiler,” claims Melody.
The old building isn’t perfect, roommates often experience drama, there are no boys to give girls a break from one another, and there are definitely very strict rules. However, because of the great bonding and sense of sisterhood Tutwiler creates, girls find that living there gives them an excellent experience and provides wonderful friendships.