Risley Residential College Reviews

I absolutely ADORE Risley. This is my first year but the semester is almost over so I can safely give my opinion; While the dorms absolutely range in size, I got really lucky and ended up with the biggest double in the building (273 sq ft, the smallest room is a single of 93sq ft). Also, despite being old they've made sure that there is great internet in the entire building with almost no deadspots, and there are power strips with 3 prong outlets running all the way around the baseboards of all the rooms, so no fighting for electricity. The studios in the basement have unfortunately mostly been closed because it is difficult to find a student representative to consistently run them after having been closed for 2 years due to covid but that ...See more

There's definitely a predominant theatre kid culture at Risley. I enjoyed rooming here, despite not being a theatre kid or being in the "In" group. Do not go random for roommates if you choose to live here unless you're okay with the theatre kid archetype.

Will say though that the room sizes vary a LOT, Risley has some of the largest doubles on campus and some of the smallest singles. No two rooms are built the same, so it's kinda a crapshoot. I really lucked out and had a ginormous walk-in closet to myself while my roommate had a smaller but still decently sized closet. Other friends shared closets that were smaller than mine alone. Also, most bathrooms are Co-Ed, Risley does NOT have pod style bathrooms like some other halls. There are ...See more

Kinda weird vibe and definitely a popular group, which kinda sucks. if you go to events its ok. good dining hall

I got randomly placed here and felt like I didn't fit in with the students there, which was upsetting. I had a running joke with the friends from other buildings that my room was converted from a janitors closet. Not only was it extremely small but it was located right next to the stairs and had a water fountain right next to my door so I felt like Harry Potter sometimes and always had to deal with people coming around through 3-4AM. I'm not extremely liberal (I am left-leaning) and found the RAs to be really annoying and some of the students to be ironically super judgmental. However, there's a dining hall in the building and it has a great location.

Good place to live if you're looking to join the theater crowd/want a really convenient location. There's a few average students like me and other architecture students since it's the closest building to the studio, but I find the crowd a bit too weird (although most people were very nice).

The location's really convenient as a freshman cause it's the closest to the bridge to north, although kind of far from the main cafeterias/gym at RPCC and Appel. However, there's a dining room right in Risley with a lot of vegan and other alternative foods which is SO nice in the winter. The bus stop is right in front of the building and that's really nice too. There are art workshops and a dance studio in the basement, but sadly I never really got to ...See more

Very old building with loud doors. Also a pretty social dorm so can get loud, especially at night and on nights when there is a performance in the theater. Small shared kitchen which isn’t great. Bathroom cleanliness is pretty good. Single room size varies; I got lucky and got a decent sized single. Room was in good quality, though had a particular smell at times. Many resources, especially if you’re into anything art related. Woodshop, digital media room, painting, theater, dance room, etc. Good location, with bus stop right out front. Would only really recommend if you will use the resources though.