Digs

By Mandy Bee
Collegian Staff
April 16, 2008

“Good times,” said freshman undecided business major Ian Casey when asked for one word to sum up his room on second floor St. Albert’s Hall.

While he may have missed the gist of the question, his answer certainly seems like an accurate one. His double, shared with freshman nursing/music history major Mike Cliggett, is an ultimate representation of what Cliggett calls “an accent to the industry of cool that is second Albert’s.”

This aforementioned cool subtly explodes itself onto the walls of Cliggett and Casey’s room. Upon entering, one will notice what has become one of the room’s most famous features: the mini Christmas tree. In fact, much of the room has a holiday feel, as strings of Christmas lights and stockings hang from the walls. The room is illuminated by the hordes of lights and lamps that are positioned all around the room.

Another notable aspect of the room is the very diverse poster collection, which showcases the roommates’ cherished pop culture. This includes Godfather memorabilia, Dwight Schrute, Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and a larger than life, ultra retro Led Zeppelin poster, which takes up a healthy portion of the ceiling. In fact, much of the ceiling is decorated with music posters and other objects that the boys often find at random. Also adding to what is certainly an obvious love of music, Cliggett and Casey have four radios in their room, which their friends use for their frequent dance parties.

The room is also equipped with two refrigerators, which Casey proudly states are “always fully stocked.” Keeping the flow going are four fans that the Casey and Cliggett say have saved their lives, giving them great ventilation for the entirety of their freshmen year. The boys also collect statues of men they admire, be it Beethoven or Abraham Lincoln.

But it isn’t the material objects of Cliggett and Casey’s room that make it one of the most interesting (and infamous) abodes in St. Albert’s; it’s the people.

“[It’s] a community room,” Cliggett said. “It is a constant meeting spot for the second Albert’s entourage.”

“We always have fun, no matter what we’re doing,” Casey said. “Everyone is always welcome here.”

Friends since grade school, the boys use their tight-knit relationship as they attempt to accommodate everyone and make sure good times are always abundant. This point is really driven home by the atmosphere of the room, which pervaded even during the interview: Cliggett and Casey’s close friends kept chirping in with their favorite stories and aspects of a room where they have made so many good memories.

With hella awesome décor, posters and memorabilia that reek of a scene from Almost Famous and a fun, laid-back vibe that is always present, it is no wonder that Cliggett and Casey’s room is a constant spot to either party or just chill.

“The best part of our room is that it’s a tribute to everyone who’s ever hung out here,” Cligget said.

With an attitude like that, it is certainly obvious that this St. Albert’s room is a place for everyone.

beea1@lasalle.edu