Changes Around Campus
As we begin the 2025-2026 school year, Robert College is facing many subtle yet important changes all around the campus. With a new principal, the school administration has changed quite a lot of its principles regarding campus maintenance. Mr. Whitman Shepard, who worked at Robert College between 1983 and 2001 as both a math teacher and the Lise Principal, seems to have new ideas in mind for what the school could become, and the student body is as excited as he is.
The easiest new addition to notice around campus is the newly trimmed and organized grass area between the Murat Karamancı Student Center (MKSC) and Bingham Hall. Previously standing as a hazard to students trying to make their way between the two buildings, the area now serves as a place where students can enjoy the fresh air. The trimmed grass looks fresher than ever, and the area truly appears beautiful. There is no doubt that this area will be put to good use by the student body.
Taking advantage of the new green area, the students do not have to worry about pests or insects any longer, as the new administration also supports the use of pesticides against the harmful insects on campus. This is great news for those who could not enjoy the gorgeous view of the Plateau because they were concerned about bugs. Now, they needn't worry, and they can have all the picnics they want.
The second major change around campus is in an area beloved by all the student body, the commons. Not only did the Student Council renovate the Gould 005 classroom into a hangout area, where people can play foosball and relax, but the school's administration also renovated all the furniture in the commons over the summer. The commons is now fresher than ever. With that said, it would be improper not to advise those reading this article to mind their actions while in the commons. The commons is a communal space, and we simply have to think of both the ISS workers and our peers who will use the area after us.
Something else which you may notice on your way from building to building is the new color of the stairs at the back exit of the commons: they are now yellow. The change, although abrupt and unannounced, certainly lightened up the area and added color to students' lives in more ways than one. In terms of paint, the school is also renovating the interior walls of all buildings, so do not be surprised if you see people working on the walls.
If you eat at the MKSC, you may have noticed that the waste collection bins are there no more. This is due to the change in the school's policy towards environmental action. Because the waste separation system wasn't as effective as the administration would like, and because the cats that loomed around the bins posed a hygienic risk, the waste baskets were removed altogether. Now, the cats on campus - which seem to have decreased in number - get by on cat food given to them specifically.
Another change made to the school's policies is the exclusion of teacher pets from buildings. While dogs were able to roam around buildings freely in the past years, now they are not permitted to enter any of the buildings during school hours. Certain students who were uncomfortable with dogs will definitely be happy with this addition, while some will undoubtedly miss the fluffy joy-bundles.
As a whole, the new additions to the school's campus seem to indicate a new breath for us to be following. Making the campus more accessible, student-friendly, and polished certainly feels like a good step forward. It is exciting to see what good use our campus can be put to, and it is delightful to see the green all around. We have a beautiful campus, maybe the most beautiful one in Türkiye, and we have to cherish it and be respectful to it. RC is not the same without our overflowing burst of green and our exquisite buildings - we should be grateful for both.
