A Love Letter to Sayles
Kai expresses his appreciation for Sayles-Hill Campus Center.
Kai expresses his appreciation for Sayles-Hill Campus Center.
Sayles has a special spot in my heart. It might not be the flashiest building on campus (that would be our sleek integrated science center, Anderson Hall, or the sparkling Weitz Center of Creativity). But under the vaulted ceilings of Sayles is the common space that serves as the social heart of campus.
It is a welcoming space, a place where you go to see and be seen. Especially considering the tight-knit nature of Carleton, that’s the fun of it: you are always bound to run into some friendly faces. Sayles is our reliable go-to for all of our needs at any time of day (or night). I’ll run through a day in Sayles to illustrate its importance to campus life.
Mornings
Sayles is home to the most popular of our three on-campus cafes, and its hours are the longest (on Fridays, it is open from 7:30 am to midnight). For early risers, it is the spot for a pick-me-up coffee and pastry, whether you grab it to go to class or sit down at a table to refresh on some readings. The hot chocolate and donut combo is also a smart choice at this hour, especially in the winter.
Common Time/Convocation
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, “common time” is an hour-long break between classes from 12 pm to 1 pm. As I covered in a previous post, Convocation is a great Carleton tradition that blocks off a break from class from 10:50 am to 11:50 am for a guest speaker’s talk at the Chapel.
Because there is no class during these “breaks,” many people congregate in Sayles at this time to hang out, which creates a nice buzz in the space. The pool and foosball tables in the balcony area of Sayles are fun study breaks, as are the chess boards at the tables downstairs.
Lunch
Lunch is a bustling time at Sayles, and for good reason— you have many lunch options to choose from! If I want to catch up with a friend I haven’t talked to in a while, I go to Sayles and usually go for a California Roll or the build-your-own-taco bar.
Afternoons
I often have to lift for baseball in the afternoons. On those days, I frequent Sayles for a quick snack (like a fruit cup) and a protein shake. The pastries, obviously, remain a great option for the afternoon snack as well.
Sayles is also home to the mailroom and campus bookstore. The bookstore is home to cool Carleton apparel, textbooks, and other goodies, while all packages that you order/receive will arrive in the mailroom to pick up. Moreover, Sayles is where you can both buy Friday Flowers and receive them in your mailbox.
Dinner
Sayles always has a weekly “special” that you can grab for lunch or dinner, which is usually my pick at this time of day. They also have burrito bowls and salad bowls to-go, which are another great option.
Late Night
Sayles doesn’t close until midnight on weekends, and nothing hits quite like some late-night chicken tenders or a quesadilla with your friends. It could be the perfect motivation for keeping up your studying, or the cherry on top for some evening fun. This is also the time to mention: Sayles hosts the annual Midwinter Ball! So make sure to bring some formal wear!
Kai is a junior excited to be back at Carleton after studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is a Political Science & Psychology major and prospective Public Policy Minor from Charlottesville, Virginia. He loves working in the Lutsky Social and Personality Research Lab, volunteering for Project Friendship, playing piano at the Weitz, hanging out at Sayles, taking walks around the Lakes or in the Arb, and pitching/playing infield for the baseball team.