Wasn’t Ruth Bader Ginsburg a student here? Yes right here at Dickson Hall. This impressive building stands as a testament to Cornell University’s rich history. Dickson Hall a Colonial-style residence hall is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living piece of Cornell’s past. Construction finished in 1946. The hall was named after Clara Dickson mother of Cornell’s first president Andrew Dickson White. Originally a women’s dorm it later became co-ed. Dickson Hall housed over 460 students for many years. That made it the largest dormitory on North Campus. That is until Ginsburg Hall and Gan dag eb Hall were built in 2022.
Interestingly Dickson Hall’s room numbering system is quite unique. It’s not your typical numerical order. Room numbers start with the floor number. Then a number indicating the building’s side. Rooms in the southwest are on the “5” side. Rooms in the northeast are on the “6” side. The basement which is the ground floor at the back because of the hill is labeled as the first floor. A first floor room on the far left side would be “2-5”. All numbers have four digits. The last two digits increase towards the building’s center. The Multicultural Living Learning Unit McLLU has called the far end of 2-6 home since 1999.
Most rooms are singles with some triples and few doubles. Each floor has large bathrooms for both sexes. Each floor also boasts a lounge dividing the 5 and 6 sides. The first floor however has the main lobby and two lounges. The lounges feature TVs without cable. Their quality size and reliability vary. Dickson houses both freshmen and upperclassmen. It’s become popular among rising sophomores seeking single rooms.
The hall’s community extends beyond its physical structure. It’s known for its vibrant atmosphere. Planned events include volleyball tournaments. There are trips to Niagara Falls bowling nights and picnics. Even a ropes course challenge. Dickson Hall’s history its unique features and its strong sense of community make it a memorable part of the Cornell experience. It’s a place where history lives and memories are made. A place where even a future Supreme Court Justice once resided. A place we stand before today.