The Continental - Hamilton College

featureslightsider meets darksidereve stevens & katherine kobaHamilton College may be known for its overall community feel,but in truth, it has two distinct communities. Confirming the existenceof these two unique sides of campus, Hamilton Admissions has gone asfar as to forbid the use of the terms Lightside and Darkside on campustours. Split by the main campus crosswalk, these two sides of campushave much more than separate names—they boast different studentsand their own vibe. To truly flesh out these Lightside/Darksidedistinctions we recruited Lightsider Eve Stevens ’09 and DarksiderKatherine Koba ’08.Familiar with each other already, Eve and Katherine joked andlaughed throughout the shoot. Rendezvousing at the decidedlyLightside Science Center, the two first discussed the stereotypicalunderstandings of the Lightsider and the Darksider. Without muchhesitation, Katherine characterized the two as “grungy hippies”and “clean preppies” to which Eve agreed. But is the stereotypeaccurate?The two seem to think, that for the most part, they are. “I feel thestereotypes are true and I like that,” Eve said. Katherine added that shethinks the Darkside characterization is especially accurate. “It is moreself selecting than the Lightside—a lot of freshman get put on theLightside,” she said.Eve and Katherine bonded over their appreciation for both sidesof campus, stereotyped or not. “I always feel that I fit in on both sides prettywell,” Eve remarked. “I can identify with either (stereotype) sort of althoughI actually don’t identify with the Lightside identity quite as much.”Katherine agreed, hesitant to identify herself solely with one sideof campus. “All my friends basically live on the Darkside. That’s thekind of people that have typically made up my circle of friends so Iguess I have to identify with it at the end of the day.”The two then shared many favorite things from each side of campus.Both admit that they love hanging out in the Darkside suites. “They area great social construction,” Katherine said. “The common rooms are soconducive to spontaneous activity. Its nice to have that space when youwant to throw a party but don’t want to trash your room.”On the Lightside, Eve confessed that she loves the Chapel and thetwo agreed that the new Science Center has been great for the campus.Both Eve and Katherine confessed, too, that they love long walks in theGlen. Finally, Katherine added that she enjoys the waffle ceilings of theDarkside.Ultimately, both overwhelming agreed that the Lightside/Darkside distinction was great but did not much matter. “I really like theaverage personality of the average Hamilton student,” Eve commented.“Everyone is easy going and I really like that.”As for Admission’s anxiety over the Lightside/Darkside lingo, Eveand Katherine think that it’s ridiculous. “I think [avoiding the termsLightside and Darkside] is developmentally disabled—can I say that?”Katherine laughed. “Why hide it?” Eve concluded. “It’s great—justlike Star Wars.”the continental | spring 2008 39