Raquel Vaughn-

Dear Complex,

It’s not me, it’s you. These past couple of years have been great, but I just outgrew you. You’re a dorm with mostly Sophomore and Junior residents, and I’m a Senior. This relationship couldn’t go further. I needed something more at my pace. A place with air conditioning and a non-communal bathroom. A room with a sink and more floor space.

You were perfect for my Sophomore year. Three dorm buildings in one allowed me to get involved with other students. You were the starting place of many friendships and life lessons learned. You were also a great friend to me during my Junior year. You were where I turned 21 years old and where I went to if I needed a good cry. You showed me beautiful sites like the one behind you—down the hill where you can see a church, cars traveling from Mankato, and lights in the night. Nobody lied when they said your windows were big. They allowed me to see so much.

I will say that I will miss waking up to the sun shining on my face. I will miss being a short walk away from the Caf and Lund. And as an English major, I will definitely miss the sidewalk that is just a straight shot from North to Convick. You treated me well. I will forever remember the movie nights I had with my friends who lived just down the hall. I will never forget the events I coordinated with the Hall Council as their Council Recorder. All the study dates in the basement and waiting for people to take their laundry out. You are filled and made by all my memories. I am who I am because of those memories.

But sometimes, relationships grow distant. I could never be with you all day, every day. I’m just too busy of a gal. The only time we could spend together were early mornings and late nights and, every once in a while, a Sunday afternoon. My career and education are just too important to me. Becoming an adultier adult is what I want to work towards, and, yes, I could accomplish that with you, but it would be hard. You wouldn’t like it. All those memories made in Sophomore and Junior year could be carried over but they could never be recreated. Breaking up was the best for both of us.

While I’m away, maybe you could take this time to work on yourself, too. Did you ever fix that broken window in the North Hall vestibule? What about the dryers that could go for hours but never dry anything? Is the entrance of Sorensen still hotter than the sun? You struggle to take care of yourself, Plex. You let your friends and residents hurt you. You refuse to defend yourself and then become a mockery of the campus. One time, I walked into North on a late weekend night to find the light just… on the floor. It was broken in shards and appeared to be unfixable.

Everyone knows most athletes –usually the younger ones– are your typical residents. They’re great people but also a rowdy bunch. Not just athletes, but also other students who like to be a little crazy on the weekends always find themselves at your place. You’re becoming another Co-Ed, or perhaps even more reputational than that. Even Pittman and Sohre, despite one being a Freshman dorm and both of them being on the far side of campus, would be considered less chaotic to live in.

As much as I need to work on myself, you do as well, Plex. All you do is take. Why can’t you give? For instance, why is there never a spot in your parking lot? Why do your vending machines rarely ever work? Residents could gain more from other dorm buildings, and I think you need to not just see it but acknowledge it. Everyone says that they would rather be anywhere else than live with you their senior year. I defend you time and time again, but you still show me that there is work that needs to be done. How many people have slipped on your sidewalks while walking to the Gibbs entrance? Too many to count, probably.

This is why people move to Southwest, College View, Chapel View, and Arbor View their Senior year because they give to us more than you give to us. You don’t have air conditioning, a kitchen, or more private bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s sad to see most First-years jump from living in Pittman to IC or Uhler because they’d rather live anywhere but you. Or even Rundy, where rooms aren’t cool during the hot weather… but at least they have a sink.

I want to share how much of a fantastic building you are, but the words seem to get caught in my throat every time. You’ve helped create so many memories but this had to be the end of the road for both of us.

With love,

Raquel