Shipley Hall

The on-campus housing is a great value. As a student without a car, on-campus housing is a main reason why I chose to attend Delaware Law School. The housing is extremely affordable, much more so than any other law school within a 100 mile radius. I live in the dorm style room. This is very different than undergraduate housing. It actually gives you some space to move around, and in the dorm you don’t have a roommate. The housing not only includes utilities, but also furniture (mattress, bedframe, desk, chair, armorié, dresser, 2 bookshelves) and a mini fridge/microwave for the duration of tenancy. I feel like I have much more autonomy because there is no resident assistant. Our housing department actually listens when you seek solutions to problems. The doors are locked at 10pm and you need a key to enter the building. Parking is free. If you live in Shipley, the mini fitness center is on the first floor and we do have free access to the JCC (AND GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES!!!) included in tuition. I only really had to bring a coffee machine.

The only issues I have are that the heating/cooling system does not gauge the temperature; rather, you have to turn the heat off before falling asleep or else you will be in a sauna. Also the main lounge areas on the floors are not heated, so in December when you study for exams you may want to go to the library instead because it’s too cold. You also have to share the kitchen and bathroom with the people on your wings. If there is an issue with the laundry, you have to contact the Caleco service directly (they do come out and fix the issue). Shipley itself has carpets already installed, so that can be an issue for some people (I brought a cute area rug to brighten the space). It’s hard to hang things on the wall due to them being cinderblocks, but command hooks work fine. I also previously had some issues with the students from the international program having parties late into the night, but that was solved with a quick email to housing.

But it works! I would recommend to anyone to live on campus. The townhouse apartments are amazing as well if you can find a roommate, but I honestly prefer living alone in the dorm. I have everything I need. I can focus on my studies. Nothing beats the 3 minute walk to class. You can also walk to the Giant and other shops in the vicinity! Again, Shipley is a great value and I like it a lot.

There are stains all over the carpet and its a but outdated, but it is good enough.

I live on campus and overall it's OK. Shared appliances are in need of MAJOR upgrades.

Living in the dorms is a good option for Delaware Law Students. While it is not the most aesthetically pleasing or comfortable option, it is convenient and sufficient for your needs. The proximity to school, stores, and restaurants is great/ Walking to campus takes no more than a minute or so- because you're already there! There is ample parking as well. The room itself is very spacious and comes fully furnished. It is helpful to have a microwave and fridge in the room- you may or may not receive a room with a fridge/freezer. Older models only have a fridge so you must bring your own small freezer.

The downsides are the industrial feel of the room, including the walls, lights, and flooring. It does not have much of a "warm and cozy" feeling that you may have at home. If you'd like softer lighting, bring your own lamp. The room light is very bright, like an office setup. The floors are carpeted, but they are not soft. You should bring a rug if you'd like nicer place to place your feet. Adding some decor in the room helps, but it does not fully combat the issue of aesthetics. Also, the bed's comfort- it is a twin-size bed with an uncomfortable mattress- is an issue. You'll need a mattress pad on top unless you enjoy the riding firmness of the provided mattress. There is not much space for more than one pillow for your head, and possibly one pillow on the side if needed.

Overall, the dorm rooms get the job done. Some tweaks need to be made, but it is a bearable living situation.

I like that we each have our own HVAC and no roommates. The rooms are a bit dated but that’s not too bad. The bathrooms and kitchen are normally pretty clean. We have been having a few bugs in the hallways lately but I haven’t seen anything in the rooms. Overall it’s pretty nice.