Dormitory Facility: Sipple Hall

Sipple Hall is a modern air-conditioned facility containing the dormitory rooms, commons area, recreation room, nurse’s office and infirmary, and study hall. The commons contains a living room atmosphere for relaxation, reading, or television viewing. The recreation room located on the lower level also houses a television, drink machines, a pool table, a ping-pong table, an air hockey table, and board games.

Each dormitory room features comfortable beds and study areas. Built-in closets, drawers, and shelves provide adequate space for clothes, books, and personal items. A drawer with a lock is provided for wallets, valuables, and other personal items. Washers and dryers are provided on each hall for washing sheets, underwear, wash and wear clothing, and other non-dry cleaning items. Eight boys (four rooms) share bathroom facilities, which include four showers with privacy curtains, a urinal, two sinks and two commodes with doors. Boarders are responsible for keeping their rooms and assigned bathrooms clean and in good order. Students vacuum and dust their rooms, empty their trash containers, and share general responsibilities involving the common areas.

Adjusting to Boarding Life: What Parents Should Anticipate

Parents and students should anticipate that boarding normally takes a period of adjustment as students must learn to acclimate to being away from home and in a more structured, disciplined environment. Often, boarding is the first time students have been away from home other than a week or two at a camp.

  1. For many students, the loss of some of the comforts of home, living in close proximity with other students, and the imposition of consistent rules and regulations can be a major challenge and adjustment.

  2. While harassment, bullying, horse play, etc. are not permitted, there is a period of adjustment as adolescent boys learn to live in proximity with each other.  The goal is to assist the boys in learning how to handle or ignore these sorts of situations as necessary.  Students are encouraged to confide in a teacher or administrator when they feel picked on or upset. 

  3. Students also have to learn to go to the resident faculty and administration for advice and direction.  There may be the tendency for some students to try to call their parents whenever there is a problem or situation.  While a parent should listen, the parent should direct the student to call or meet with the Director of Resident Life.  Parents must defer the students to the school and its course of action.

  4. Whenever there is a parental concern, the parent should contact the resident life administration. The period of adjustment is usually three to six weeks, depending on the student. During the period of adjustment, the school plans orientation sessions and works closely with students in anticipation of their concerns or behavior. 

  5. Seven-day boarding students should remain on campus during the first four or five weekends.