Hidden beneath the rooms of the Quad lies a series of little-known tunnels. This well-kept secret allows ambitious students to explore areas of the Quad that most will never see.
Many freshmen have no idea that beneath their feet is a series of intricate tunnels. With the dangers the tunnels pose, such as hot pipes and mechanical equipment, perhaps they should be left to the cockroaches and mice.
There are multiple entryways to the tunnels, most famously via the ladder to the immediate left of the Upper Quad Gate. Other entryways are behind unmarked, white doors, while some entrances are behind doors labeled “Danger”.
The most famous tunnel runs from the Upper Quad Gate through to the Lower Quad Gate and around to the middle of the Baby Quad at Cleemann Hall. Other tunnels originate in the Upper Quad and run along the length of Fisher-Hassenfeld College House.
These maintenance tunnels contain important features that keep the Quad running smoothly, such as pipes for heating and water. One freshman explorer claimed to have found the room that housed phone lines for all of the old phones in the Quad.
A freshman, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the tunnels were “a little damp and a little scary,” but “it was quite the experience.” Another freshman noted that the tunnels were “a little weird” and unpredictable to get into, as the same doors are left locked and unlocked, seemingly at random.
Freshmen who have found the entrances and dared to explore the tunnels have certainly left their mark in the form of graffiti. Student artwork and names decorate the walls, with the latest markings appearing to be from 2014. Other graffiti is dated back to as late as 1992, suggesting that tunnel exploration is a pastime freshmen have enjoyed for 24 years at least.
So what is it that draws students to these tunnels?
“The novelty of it is very exciting,” one freshman said. Others explore the tunnels as a sort of adventure.
It is likely that the search for an adrenaline rush isn’t the only thing that brings students into the underground tunnels, however — graffiti of the word “weed” tags some of the pipes.
Freshmen report that visiting the tunnels is not a well-known staple of Quad life.
“Lots of people discussing [the tunnels]? No, not really,” remarked College freshman Riley Morrison. Others agreed that “it’s definitely a secret.”
Ambitious tunnel explorers be warned — there are definitely risks. Some of the entryways to tunnels are labeled “Danger.” Often, maneuvering deeper into the tunnels requires students to walk through hazardous pipes and mechanical equipment.
Unsurprisingly, the Quad is not the only place on campus with a mysterious basement. According to Wikipedia, Hill College House contains a fallout shelter, a remnant of Cold War architecture. Hill is also rumored to contain tunnels that connect to the Quad, though no students have reported having found such a tunnel.
So if you’re wondering if the hunt for secret tunnels is even worth your time, just imagine the secrets that the underground world hidden beneath your dorm could hold.
As one student put it, “we’re not Hogwarts, but it’s still a cool place to be.”
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