Swire Hall

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Swire Hall (太古堂; pinyin: tàigǔtáng) is an undergraduate, coeducational dormitory located on the University of Hong Kong (HKU) campus that opened November 30, 1980. It is named after the Swire Group, a British transnational corporation, whose financial contributions made possible the building of the hall.

Situated up a three-storey staircase just off Bonham Road, Swire Hall consists of 11 floors, five of which are reserved for male students and four or which are reserved for female students. Residents, who are referred to as "Swirians," are known for their intense floor and hall pride. As such, there are a number of sports and club competitions held year-round among the different floors and with other HKU student halls that showcase their spirit.

Local Hong Kong students residing in Swire are strongly encouraged (or rather compelled) to participate in at least a couple sports or club teams. Non-local and exchange students can participate at their discretion. Although rigorous participation can sometimes take its toll on the students' academic studies, it also creates strong bonds of brotherhood, sisterhood, and friendship among the residents.

Once a month (except during the final examination period and summer holiday), Swirians hold a "high table dinner," during which a guest speaker (perhaps a university official, hall alumnus or alumna, or even a politician) will speak to the students before a catered dinner is served (usually in one of the university's canteens). At the beginning of each dinner, the hall warden, student tutors, and a few select students residents enter the dining room wearing green robes of distinction as the other residents stand at their seats. The entrance is then followed by a reciting of the hall song in Cantonese. Dinner is usually served in Chinese banquet, Western, or buffet-styles.

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