Heading into winter term, Choate dorms are sporting a new look. Starting last week, Choate has been replacing the old signs on the dorms with newer, flashier ones. By the end of the initiative, for the first time in Choate history, all the signs will be uniform.
A little over fifteen years ago, Choate had no signs on dorms or dorm signs. According to Humanities teacher James Davidson, the lack of signs often led to confusion when people outside of the Choate community came to visit the school. Choate parents could never find their children’s dorms, while opposing teams could never find the Winter Exercise Building. So, roughly fifteen years ago, Choate decided to put up dorm signs.
Surprisingly, the signs in this first round were not uniform. In fact, Mr. Davidson notes, “There were at least two colors, and at least four styles.” This array of signs was put up in two waves. The difference between the styles was evident. Some had the school seal; others had pictures of a tree. However, the major difference among the old signs was in their colors. The sign on Atwater House had blue letters set on a white background, while some other signs had blue backgrounds and white lettering.
These signs were very effective, but after fifteen years an upgrade was needed. The new signs have a white background: as Mr. Davidson observed, white works on everything. Even at Logan Monroe, the white sign is clearly visible on the red brick. The signs also sport the school seal above the name of the dorm.
The source of the funding for the new signs remains unknown. Mr. Davidson guesses that the funding may have come as a gift from the alumni. Another guess is that the school paid for the signs with money from the endowment. Mr. Davidson doubts this theory, though: “I doubt that the school would use money out of the endowment for signs—they are using that money on larger things.” Mr. Davidson suggests a third alternative, that facilities may have just decided that it was necessary to change the signs. Wherever it came from, the funding for the new signs has provided a welcome, though small, improvement.
Mr. Davidson believes that the new signs give off a more “harmonious feel and will last a life time.” This second advantage is thanks to their composition. While the old signs may have been simply laminated, the new signs are made out of a durable plaster. Although intact lamination provides adequate protection from the elements, the lamination at Pierce House, where Mr. Davidson lives, has begun to peel off. This is unsurprising—in his apt automotive metaphor, “after four thousand miles, you need more tires.” After fifteen years, schools need new signs. However, the new signs will be even more weatherproof than the old ones and may last much longer than fifteen years.
Although they have been taken down, Mr. Davidson notes that he has not heard about a decision regarding the old signs. If possible, he would like to keep the old Pierce House sign and potentially, “hang it in his garage. The old signs may have been temporary, but they still contain some sentimental value,” he said.
Student opinion ranged from excitement to anger. Atwater House represents both sides of the spectrum. Christian Keggi ’10 was visibly upset about the signs because he feels that in replacing the old signs “they are killing Choate tradition.” John Maddalone ’10, though, approved and said, “The new signs look good.” Mr. Davidson shares similar Maddalone’s sentiments, agreeing that the new signs look good.
Some people were entirely indifferent to the new signs. When asked for his opinion, Matthew Cheng ’10 only offered, “They’re okay.”
Almost all of the new signs are on the Choate buildings already. Though popular opinion varies, the signs are here to stay. With their more durable design and composition, the signs are expected to last longer than the fifteen-year tenure of the old signs; moreover, Choate has finally achieved a kind of aesthetic uniformity. However, the change, though pervasive, is not a revolutionary one. Maddalone summed up the purpose of the signs perfectly: “They are put there to help the parents and visitors to campus. The students don’t often notice them.”
Atwater House’s new sign hopes to outlast its predecessor’s fifteen year old record. PHOTO/Greg Stasiw ‘11
