Colorado native Sydney Baller originally planned to attend a college close to home, but was drawn to MIT’s strong academic community and ultimately chose to enroll here. After attending the Campus Preview Weekend (CPW) in 2023, she felt at home in McCormick Hall. Opened in 1963 as MIT’s first women’s residence, McCormick gave women a real chance to attend the Institute in large numbers. To preserve community continuity during its first renovation in 63 years, MIT created a dedicated lounge in the Stratton Student Center (W20) and funded efforts to keep dorm traditions alive.
Sydney is now a rising senior in mechanical engineering, a year‑round athlete (basketball and outdoor track), a craft enthusiast, and co‑president of McCormick’s student government. With the renovation underway, she is devoting time to support future MIT women so they can enjoy the same powerful residential experience she had. The dorm is slated to reopen in August 2028—well after Sydney graduates.
In the interview she explains how she maintains community spirit among current residents and incoming first‑years during the transition.
Why choose McCormick? Sydney was recruited to play college basketball, and other schools were pressing her for a decision. MIT’s acceptance gave her the freedom to decide, so she attended CPW and stayed in co‑ed Baker with a teammate. While she could have adjusted to a mixed‑gender living space, she gravitated toward an all‑women community. A CPW event at McCormick showcased a dedicated craft room, which “sealed the deal” for her.
Describing the McCormick community On move‑in day her dad helped unload three suitcases, and a girl in the laundry room spontaneously asked, “Are you talking about Despereaux?”—an instant bond. House Heads host a tea‑and‑churro study break after the last class each semester, making churros and serving tea sandwiches. They also run “karao‑cake”: a karaoke machine with microphones and a cake, where everyone sings together and collectively shouts “No!” if a song is disliked. The all‑women gym is well‑equipped, eliminating the need to fight for racks. Sydney emphasizes that McCormick’s vibe is what members make of it; invest in it and it becomes a nightly home.
How she got involved in the renovation She first joined house government as craft chair and athletic chair, then ran for co‑president because McCormick felt like her “home away from home.” When MIT announced the renovation, the student government organized dorm‑wide events, handed out donuts, and gathered ideas: a massive craft room, pianos in every corner, and removal of unused penthouse study cubicles. A one‑year delay caused emotional ups and downs, but she continued meetings with Student Life via Zoom to keep resident engagement alive.
Role of house government during renovation The team keeps energy alive. Over 300 incoming students expressed interest in McCormick despite the renovation. To sustain momentum, they hosted an end‑of‑semester party with custom crewnecks, a food truck, popcorn, cotton candy, a DJ, games, and face paint. They organized movie outings—Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour film, Wicked, and Wicked for Good—followed by group sing‑alongs. Chill events like crochet, painting, and pastry sharing also continue, ensuring that even when not physically together, residents “exist together.” She also helps students displaced to Maseeh find social opportunities, preventing them from missing the “Barbie”‑style dorm moments.
Is the effort worth it? Sydney feels the momentum is worth preserving, though the true test will be when the dorm reopens and a freshman experiences the community. Student feedback on donuts and other ideas has been incorporated into the design, but final outcomes depend on MIT’s broader constraints.
Goals after renovation Since the building won’t reopen before she graduates, she hopes a passionate house‑government team will continue traditions after she leaves. She also looks forward to visiting the renovated dorm post‑graduation, buying her own plane ticket to see the excitement firsthand.
Blogger's Review The interview vividly illustrates how student self‑governance can shape campus‑wide infrastructure projects. Sydney’s story shows that preserving community culture isn’t about bricks and mortar but about proactive student organization and emotional investment. Her approach—maintaining cohesion through diverse events during renovation and giving incoming students a taste of the community—offers a valuable blueprint for other residence halls facing similar transitions.