Living, eating (and cleaning) in Ferry

Alexandra Matthews Guest Writer

For most students at Vassar, Dexter M. Ferry House continues to be “that ninth dorm.” Generalizations such as “they’re all vegans” and “they’re all artists” seem all too prevalant when describing the dorm’s personality. But what is life at Ferry House really like?

Ferry is currently the only “cooperative living” residential house at Vassar, and was specifically commissioned for construction in 1951.

In other words, the 20 students who live there are responsible as a group for their own cleaning, cooking, food shopping and general building maintenance. Although it seems strange that students would want to spend time cooking and cleaning when they could easily head up to All Campus Dining Center for some grub, most residents feel that this is what brings them together as a communal family.

Ferry House Representative Tendai Musakwa ’10 explained that “cooking and cleaning does take some time away from your schedule…[but] the sense of family is awesome.”

Are all residents vegans? Not at all. All prepared food is vegetarian, and there is always a vegan option. It’s the house consensus. Although some residents do eat meat, no meat may be cooked in the kitchen. The menu varies depending on whose turn it is to cook, and they use a rotating schedule so that every person prepares dinner at least once per semester. Two housemates are typically responsible for buying produce while two others purchase other groceries with money collected from all residents at the beginning of the semester.

Likewise with cleaning—everyone pitches in. It’s a collaborative effort.

“You have to take care of a lot of the things around you, and there are always people around. [The] whole house is common space,” said Danielle Goldie ’08.

Despite its gaping windows and easy access (yes, your VCard works there too), most students hesitate to enter Ferry House because they assume that it’s a private, prohibited area. While it’s rude to barge into anyone’s home uninvited, Ferry House residents are very open to the idea of visitors.
“We encourage people to come,” Musakwa said.

Privacy amongst the “fellow Ferries,” as Musakwa referred to them, is up to each resident’s own discretion. Steve Reilly ’09 joked, “My grandparents used to think we all lived in one room. It’s as private as you want.”

Ferry House is also known for being eco-friendly, but Musakwa quelled some common misconceptions. “We are not all hippies. We are just people trying to be environmentally conscious,” he said. Musakwa wants to propose legislation requiring organizations hosting events on campus to be environmentally aware, including a B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Cup) program to reduce paper waste that accumulates during parties.

So, amidst the intimate living quarters, occasionally daunting chores and pro-green focus, what is Ferry House all about? Community. Ask any Ferry House resident.

“I wanted a big change on campus. I felt lost in a dorm. [Ferry House] seemed like a close-knit community where I wouldn’t be lost in the shuffle,” Goldie said.

Whether you just want to take a peek inside or you have a hankering for delicious vegetarian cuisine, stop by one day (but politely knock and introduce yourself first). Or check out Ferry House Art Nights, organized by the residents, when the House’s common area is converted into an art gallery or band showcase for the evening. These events are free and open to the entire campus.

Is cooperative living for everyone? Maybe not. But for those who choose it, Ferry House is a respectable alternative to the prototypical dorm life that most Vassar students experience.