Residential Colleges Defined
Far more than dormitories, Yale’s residential colleges have been called “little paradises.” With their resident deans and masters, legendary intramural sports teams, Master’s Teas hosting world leaders, and spirit of allegiance and community, Yale’s residential colleges are an unparalleled undergraduate experience.
Before arriving as a freshman each student is randomly assigned to one of the twelve colleges, giving Yalies a built-in community from the moment they arrive. Most Yalies quickly become convinced that their residential college is the best residential college. Each college is home to a microcosm of our undergraduate student body as a whole, allowing students to have the cohesiveness and intimacy of a small school while still enjoying the vibrancy and resources of a world-class university.
The colleges give students a chance to meet and learn from other students with different interests – people they might not otherwise meet in classes or extracurricular activities. While many students form their closest and most enduring friendships through their college, students can choose to engage in residential college life as much as they like. Each of the colleges has its own history and traditions. All are richly endowed with amenities from libraries, dining halls, and garden courtyards to movie theaters, darkrooms, and music studios.
The colleges also bring together faculty and students in a way that is virtually unmatched in American collegiate education. With programs of formal advising, seminars, and academic prizes as well as activities that encourage students’ extracurricular interests, the colleges are a unique bridge between academic and social life.
Now more than 70 years old, Yale’s residential college system is perhaps the most distinctive feature of undergraduate life here.
mas•ter and dean n. The Master and Dean are professors who live in the college, eat meals with students in the dining hall, and serve as the college’s leaders. The Master plans college social events like subsidized trips to Broadway shows, and the Dean is the college’s academic adviser.
but•ter•y n. In the basement of each college is a buttery that sells cheap food late at night. It often serves as a gathering place for students in the college to take a break from working.
mas•ter’s tea n. Each college Master hosts afternoon teas throughout the year at which students can gather in small groups to interact with a guest speaker. Some recent guests include actor Denzel Washington, journalist Brian Williams, author R.L. Stein, rapper Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, and talk show host Whoopi Goldberg.
stud•y break n. College Masters and Deans make sure students take plenty of breaks from studying, so during finals time they host nightly study breaks in their homes with plenty of food.
din•ing hall n. Each college has its own dining hall where students eat. In addition, each college has its own library, gym, TV room, music practice room, and other facilities like theaters.
dean’s ex•cuse n. If you get sick at Yale there is no need to stress and run around to each professor begging for extensions on assignments: your Dean will give you extensions for all your work until you feel better.
“say what? say•brook!” The cheer of Saybrook College, the best residential college. (Note: this glossary was written by a Saybrook student.) Each college has a cheer to show its spirit. Most students think their college is the best college.
tyng cup n. Each college competes against all others in over thirty sports, ranging from soccer to ping pong. The college that performs the best gets the coveted Tyng Cup.