# Proposed monster dorm at UCSB sparks controversy **URL:** \ **Category:** Greater Forumosa\ **Tags:** housing, universities, california\ **Created:** [November 2, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640 "2021-11-02T00:21:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![afterspivak](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@afterspivak](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/afterspivak)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/1 "2021-11-02T00:21:23Z")
We’re all aware of how public institutions in North America, including some great public universities, are nowadays relying on private donors to get things done. Typically some rich guy will donate a pile of money in order to get his (it almost always seems to be guys doing this) name on a building. I guess rich guys like this. At first glance, Berkshire Hathaway investor Charles Munger’s donation to the University of California, Santa Barbara seemed to fit this usual story. It turns out however that Munger (now in his 90s) likes to dabble in architecture. His donation stipulated that he would be able to design the building (which would of course be named after him)—no modifications to his plan would be permitted. Well, this has led to some discussion of his proposal: a 4500 person monster dorm, with exactly two (2) exits, and the vast majority of student rooms not having windows. Who needs dystopian fiction or film when you have guys like this? 😐 > **[Calif. university's 'destructive' 'mega-dorm' ignites firestorm](https://www.sfgate.com/education/article/ucsb-dennis-mcfadden-resigns-over-munger-hall-16575500.php)** > > The dorm would be 'the eighth densest neighborhood in the world.' Guy ---
**Author:** ![afterspivak](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@afterspivak](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/afterspivak)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 12:25am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/2 "2021-11-02T00:25:50Z")
Lots of stories popping up on this project. Here’s one from Archinect: > **['A jail masquerading as a dormitory': Architect resigns from UCSB over a...](https://archinect.com/news/article/150286731/a-jail-masquerading-as-a-dormitory-architect-resigns-from-ucsb-over-a-ludicrous-charles-munger-designed-dorm)** > > A key architect has resigned his committee membership at the University of California, Santa Barbara following its proposal of a monolithic new dormitory building that purportedly fails to provide windows for some 94% of its single-occupancy... Guy ---
**Author:** ![cjasonc](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/b9e5f3/32.png) [@cjasonc](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/cjasonc)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 12:34am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/3 "2021-11-02T00:34:39Z")
I know a family back home that made a shit ton of $$ importing prison pods from China. I guess they switched to dorms seeing as for-profit prisons are not good news. ---
**Author:** ![afterspivak](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@afterspivak](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/afterspivak)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 12:43am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/4 "2021-11-02T00:43:39Z")
I think Mr Munger knows little (and perhaps nothing) about the current mental health crisis affecting young people, and has done little (and perhaps no) research on how natural light and other factors can reduce anxiety. His proposed monster dorm is a time bomb that attempts to solve one problem (housing) but will make other problems (the mental health crisis) worse. I suppose on the plus side it’ll be more difficult for students to jump out of their dorm window as they will not have one. Guy ---
**Author:** ![Taiwan\_Luthiers](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@Taiwan\_Luthiers](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Taiwan_Luthiers)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 12:47am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/5 "2021-11-02T00:47:52Z")
Jester building in UT Austin looks exactly like a prison pod, I shit you not! It had the same layout as a SHU (special housing unit) in a standard BOP run Federal prison. I do not think this is a coincidence. Even the window looks prison like. Thing about rich folks especially Americans, just want to be emperor. Special housing unit is where they put you if you become a problem for the prison, like for example fights, or needs protection. Maximum security, 23 hour lockdown. ---
**Author:** ![yyy](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/yyy/32/12085_2.png) [@yyy](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/yyy)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 12:55am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/6 "2021-11-02T00:55:21Z")
> [@afterspivak](#): > > (now in his 90s) > a desire to “coax residents out of their rooms and into larger common areas, where they could interact and collaborate,” Aaaah, now it makes sense. “Stop diddling on your myphones all day long. Go out and socialize with your peers!” :grandpa: Still a bad idea though. > ignites firestorm Yeah, and probably a firestorm at the fire department too! 😬 ---
**Author:** ![BlackGaynProud](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BlackGaynProud](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/BlackGaynProud)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 1:10am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/7 "2021-11-02T01:10:59Z")
> [@afterspivak](#): > > Typically some rich guy will donate a pile of money in order to get his (it almost always seems to be guys doing this) name on a building. I guess rich guys like this. I am not rich, but I’d like to see my name on a building. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Shaun008](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/shaun008/32/209482_2.png) [@Shaun008](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Shaun008)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 1:36am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/8 "2021-11-02T01:36:54Z")
> [@BlackGaynProud](#): > > I am not rich, but I’d like to see my name on a building. 😁 You could do it your self ![Screenshot 2021-11-02 at 09.32.10](https://forumosauploads-12829.kxcdn.com/original/3X/3/d/3d9e7b210a9a8cd14a5779e41755368fc0dabaa3.jpeg) or invent a popular logo and people will do it for you 😇 ---
**Author:** ![Poundsand](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@Poundsand](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Poundsand)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/9 "2021-11-02T01:38:51Z")
> [@afterspivak](#): > > I think Mr Munger knows little (and perhaps nothing) about the current mental health crisis affecting young people, and has done little (and perhaps no) research on how natural light and other factors can reduce anxiety UCSB. if you’re not getting enough light there, you’re already fucked. ---
**Author:** ![afterspivak](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@afterspivak](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/afterspivak)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/10 "2021-11-02T02:00:18Z")
Some forumosans spent a couple of weeks in a quarantine hotel with a small window, or no window. Based on the posts I read, they did not seem especially delighted by the experience. Now imagine college students, with a morning class, and no natural light to indicate that morning is coming. Yeah I’m sure that’s an awesome way to get students going in the morning. Guy ---
**Author:** ![Poundsand](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@Poundsand](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Poundsand)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 2:09am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/11 "2021-11-02T02:09:36Z")
> [@afterspivak](#): > > Now imagine college students, with a morning class, and no natural light to indicate that morning is coming. Yeah I’m sure that’s an awesome way to get students going in the morning. Soooo… see, there’s these things called “alarm clocks.” Those of us who live even a little north rely on them all the time to wake up, even when it’s dark! And after doing so, we don’t walk out to a glorious location. 😉 > [@afterspivak](#): > > Some forumosans spent a couple of weeks in a quarantine hotel with a small window, or no window. Based on the posts I read, they did not seem especially delighted by the experience. Kind of different. What with one being confined to a room, and the other, not. ---
**Author:** ![afterspivak](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@afterspivak](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/afterspivak)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 2:11am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/12 "2021-11-02T02:11:21Z")
For your reference: > **[Circadian rhythm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circadian_rhythm)** > > A circadian rhythm (/sərˈkeɪdiən/), or circadian cycle, is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep–wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours. It can refer to any process that originates within an organism (i.e., endogenous) and responds to the environment (entrained by the environment). These 24-hour rhythms are driven by a circadian clock, and they have been widely observed in plants, animals, fungi and cyanobacteria. > The term circadian comes from the Latin circa, meaning "arou... Guy ---
**Author:** ![Joebie](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Joebie](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Joebie)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 2:17am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/13 "2021-11-02T02:17:05Z")
I stayed at Jester for 3 years… Saw nothing wrong with it. Was sad that they made me move out after the 4th year. ---
**Author:** ![BlackGaynProud](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BlackGaynProud](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/BlackGaynProud)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 2:24am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/14 "2021-11-02T02:24:30Z")
Maybe things are different now, but when I was in college, everyone blacked out their windows and only opened them to let out marijuana smoke. ---
**Author:** ![Taiwan\_Luthiers](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@Taiwan\_Luthiers](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Taiwan_Luthiers)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 2:40am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/15 "2021-11-02T02:40:44Z")
Of course dorm is a great experience to meet friends and all that… but just saying the layout of the rooms reminded me of prison lockdown block… ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Milker](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/dr_milker/32/181996_2.png) [@Dr\_Milker](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Dr_Milker)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 3:20am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/16 "2021-11-02T03:20:34Z")
Munger is a smart guy and a bit of a renaissance man, so it seems strange he’d design something so ugly, and without windows. On the other hand, the UCSB campus is already filled with hideous architecture, so the new dorm would probably fit right in. Seems like structures built on campuses in the 50s, 60s and 70s are mostly pretty horrible. Le Corbusier has a lot to answer for. ---
**Author:** ![iamspartacus](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/iamspartacus/32/31783_2.png) [@iamspartacus](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/iamspartacus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 3:29am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/17 "2021-11-02T03:29:52Z")
Same experience here. The joke around campus was always, “It was designed by prison architects.” Compared to some other dormitories, it wasn’t as nice, but I definitely enjoyed my 3 years there too. ---
**Author:** ![Joebie](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Joebie](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Joebie)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 4:01am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/18 "2021-11-02T04:01:34Z")
Maybe the reason I liked it so much was because I was one of the lucky freshmen that got a room that had their own private bathrooms. Since they allow you to request the same room year after year, I stayed in the same room all 3 years. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![iamspartacus](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/iamspartacus/32/31783_2.png) [@iamspartacus](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/iamspartacus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 4:07am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/19 "2021-11-02T04:07:21Z")
Now that I think about it, I was lucky too. We shared a bathroom with one other room, so it wasn’t as bad. I do remember living in a shared bathroom dormitory when I went to a UT Austin camp in highschool. Not as pleasant, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![keoni](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/a4c791/32.png) [@keoni](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/keoni)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 4:27am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640/20 "2021-11-02T04:27:47Z")
Welcome to the Munger games 😆 [Next page](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/proposed-monster-dorm-at-ucsb-sparks-controversy/213640.md?page=2)