The smallest and oldest dorm on campus, Emerson Hall is the perfect place to live if you are seeking close community and fellowship … if you are a guy, of course. A male-only dorm built in 1958, Emerson Hall provides its residents with the opportunity to create lifelong friendships through the tightly-knit community.

• Central location: One of the advantages of living in Emerson Hall is its close location to the center of campus. Located across from Horton Hall, residents of Emerson enjoy easy access to the music building, athletic facilities and cafeteria. The central location is also ideal for visiting Horton, Alpha and Sigma.

• Close community: The “Home of Men” is mostly known for its community. Emerson consists of mostly underclassmen and, because there are only two floors, individuals become familiar with many other residents in the hall. Small floor halls – usually containing 20 to 30 guys – provide an atmosphere conducive to making close friendships, and numerous activities in Emerson include residents of the entire dorm. For example, instead of having floor retreats, Emerson goes on a dorm retreat to “Mt. Emerson” (Big Bear), where guys from the four floors spend a weekend camping and hiking in the mountains.

• No air: While Emerson provides close community and the opportunity for fellowship, a disadvantage of living in the hall is that you will be living in the oldest dorm on Biola’s campus, which means that the building does not include capabilities such as air-conditioned rooms. While the weather is mild throughout the majority of the school year, the first and last few weeks of warmer temperatures can be trying for Emerson residents. Emerson residents are provided with a fan in each room, in addition to the furniture. Most rooms are doubles, with some triples, and residents share a community bathroom.

For more information about Emerson Hall, visit its dorm page.