Branner Hall

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Branner Hall is a dorm at Stanford University that was founded more than 80 years ago, named for former University President John Casper Branner. It is currently the largest all-freshman dorm on Stanford's campus and houses more than 160 freshman every year.[1]


Contents

[edit] History and Alumni

Branner has functioned as everything from an all male dorm to an all female dorm, an all freshman dorm to a four class dorm in the 80 years since it was originally founded. It has housed many notable alumni including former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor [2]and LA times editorialist Joel Stein. Through its 80 year history, Branner has amassed many traditions unique to Branner and has made a unique name for itself on Stanford's campus.[3]

Though not an alumnus yet, major league prospect Jack McGeary also lives in Branner Hall. McGeary recently received a $1.8 million signing bonus from The Washington Nationals. He will play for The Nationals this summer and has been keeping up with his baseball skills by practicing with the Stanford Baseball team. However, he can never play with the Stanford team because he has already signed a professional contract. He lives on the third floor of Branner, affectionately known as the penthouse, an exclusive group of around 15 individuals whose RA Alif Khalfan is also very sports focused.[4]

[edit] Renown on Campus

In its 80 year history, Branner has slowly become both the most loved and hated dorm on campus. Every student who lives in Branner never forgets their experience and insists without hesitation that it is the best dorm in the world. However, every other dorm on campus hates Branner. This hate originates most likely from the tight sense of community Branner has, where Branner goes to every sporting event and school activity together. At most school events, all other freshman dorms will join in a cheer yelling "Branner Sucks!" as loudly as they can. In response, Branner yells back, "You're Just Jealous."[5] Whether this hate comes from a certain enmity or not, Branner undeniably has the best rooms of any dorm on campus and is the most social dorm at Stanford.[6]

[edit] Renovation

In 2003, Branner underwent a $20 million restoration, renovating most of the rooms and the dining hall. Also renovated were the Branner Library, the basement study rooms, and the lounge. The library offers students a quiet place to study as to the basement study rooms. The lounge offers a relaxing area to hang out and also boasts a Steinway Grand Piano.[7]


[edit] Recent Controversy

Due to complaints perpetrated by Vice Provost John Bravman and Professor Eric Roberts that Branner hall "has a very negative character," many are arguing that Branner be "repurposed" into a four class dorm. Branner has developed a reputation over the years as a more social dorm and a dorm that parties more and this has influenced some of the negative views by administrators like Bravman. Former resident fellow Kennell Jackson Jr. concedes that, "Branner is not a place where fun goes to die." But Jackson also argues that "outsiders—like Roberts and Bravman—swallow these tall tales of wild nights in Branner," and that Branner is much less crazy than its reputation. Jackson's comments seem to have made little effect however, and rumors have spread throughout campus that Branner will become an upper class dorm within the next decade.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Branner Hall receives restoration." Stanford Report, July 23, 2003. http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2003/july23/branner-723.html
  2. ^ Supreme Court justice pushes public service - The Stanford Daily Online
  3. ^ "Branner Information." http://www.stanford.edu/group/resed/branner/Information.html
  4. ^ Svrluga, Barry. "The Nationals Solitary Man." Washington Post, Feb. 5, 2008. A01, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/04/AR2008020403604.html
  5. ^ Bricker, Matt. Temporary inconveniences, permanent improvement: Branner to be renovated Branner to be renovated. Stanford Daily, 2/27/2002: http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2002/2/27/temporaryInconveniencesPermanentImprovementBrannerToBeRenovatedBrannerToBeRenovated
  6. ^ Novinson, Daniel. "Dorm Crazy." Stanford Daily Online, 9/21/2005: http://www.stanforddaily.com/article/2005/9/21/dormCrazy
  7. ^ "Branner Hall receives restoration." Stanford Report, July 23, 2003. http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2003/july23/branner-723.html
  8. ^ "Resident fellow challenges 'disparaging' remarks about Branner Hall." Stanford Report, April 20, 2005, http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/april20/letkennell-042005.html
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