By Anda Totoreanu ’15 & Shay Gingras ’16

Photo by Ally Hill ’14/ The Lafayette

The 80-inch flat screen may have turned you green with envy. Or perhaps it was the indoor bike racks that piqued your fancy. Either way, this renovated residence, formerly home to the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity,is raising the standards for Lafayette dorms.

The Grossman House for Global Perspectives is a “new initiative to create an intimate community with a deep co-curricular anchor in globalization,” according to the Office of Residence Life website. The house was made possible by a donation from Trustee Richard Grossman ‘64 and his wife, Rissa.

The inaugural group of 25 students—one-third international, one-third with experience abroad, and another third without—is getting the ball rolling.

“I think one of our advisors put it well [when he said that] this whole idea of globalization that we stand for is more like a ‘greased pig,’” said Steve Allaico ‘15. “So we’re still trying to pin it down ourselves and try to see where that takes us.”

Last weekend, Grossman held an open house. Many attended, visiting five suites that focused on five different regions of the world. Visitors could sample food, listen to foreign music, admire costumes and even speak a little Swahili.

Many suites ran out of food early and had to cook more.

“There were a lot of people who came and seemed to enjoy it,” Ivy Dewitt ‘14 said. “But now we’re trying to be more low-key and build up internally by having discussions about globalization and what it means to us and then build off of that for some bigger events later in the year.”

“We are in the process of cementing our plans and as soon as we have [then], we will let the whole campus know especially for external events,” Raymond Macharia ‘15 said. “Being the first such group, we have no previous record to go on, so we’re really inventing the wheel here.”

But everyone involved believes that Grossman House is a necessary addition to the campus.

“The reason I take time away from other things important to me is that it’s going to strengthen the school, and improve what we do here,” said Associate Professor of Anthropology and volunteer house adviser William Bissell. “We’re trying to be more sophisticated in a global domain; connect residential life to curricular efforts, bridging different aspects.”

The students of Grossman recognize that their mission overlaps with the mission of other groups like ISA and Amnesty International, which also explore globalization and emphasize diversity.

“I think Grossman’s mission is to not overtake anyone else but it’s more of a collaboration thing because we’re really new and we’re still getting our footing,” Dewitt said. “We think by understanding and collaborating with other groups it improves our quality and the quality of other organizations.”

Residents are pleased with Grossman’s facilities. Each suite comes with a shower, a full kitchen and a large living space. In addition to a library, the house is green. It is made partially of recycled materials and uses highly efficient lighting.

“The generous donation, which made this happen, has gone a long way into emphasizing Lafayette’s international outlook,” said Macharia. “Through such meaningful investments, Lafayette clearly proves that is not all talk. Not at all.”