Dorms or dungeons?

The Princeton review ranked the University at Albany number 12 in the "dorms like dungeons" category.

Whether you agree or disagree with this ranking, some UAlbany students clearly know how to liven things up, especially when it comes to dorm décor. Three UAlbany students were chosen as finalists in The Best Dressed Dorm contest held by the Times Union newspaper and columnist Kristi Gustafson.

The contest allowed any student attending a college in the Capital Region to submit a video or picture of their dorm room.

The paper chose four finalists: Ronnie Weber, Kennan Parker, Dayna Quinn of UAlbany and Siena College student Laura Johnson. Their entries were then posted on the paper's Web site, allowing readers to vote for their favorite.

The winner was promised a $100 gift card to Colonie Center and a $100 gift card to Dunkin' Donuts. Johnson won first place in the contest. "Having a nice room can cost a lot, but it doesn't have to," said Parker, a sophomore.

Parker explained that the key to a nice dorm room is taking the time to find the right things to fit your space and personality. He suggested checking out garage sales over the summer, and said that he "is always on the lookout for something to add to the dorm room."

Ronnie Weber said he believes the "fun colors and retro feel" that she created with her roommate mixed well and made a great living space.

If students are still not convinced they can make their dorm room beautiful, it may be due to where they are living. Both Parker and Weber live in Eastman Tower on State Quad. Parker described the tower as having "an apartment feel and nicer common rooms."

A group of students living in the low rise on State Quad said they find it hard living in their dorms, and speculate their rooms are the ones that The Princeton Review saw and named dungeons. A separate group of students living in the low rises said they could have been finalists in the contest and they enjoy their living space.

They said with a little color, creativity, and time, any dungeon can be livable and inviting.