Douthart (pronounced DOW-thart) is one of six female scholarship halls. Douthart features 4-person suites and was established in 1954 through the donations of Lela Douthart, Ava Douthart Chronister, and Bert Chronister.
Douthart is located just a few minutes’ walk from the Student Union, Memorial Stadium, and many major class buildings. It is also within walking distance of the historic Mass Street shopping district.
Some of the many Douthart traditions include the Late Night Bash, the Big Sis/Little Sis program, which pairs new residents with returning residents to help them get adjusted, and Office Spacing, where the women smash office equipment with baseball bats to relieve Finals Week stress!
The scholarship halls are 12 large houses (6 female and 6 male) that form a unique on-campus living option at the University of Kansas. Each hall is home to around 50 high-achieving undergraduate students who work cooperatively to maintain the hall in exchange for reduced housing costs - about $1600 less per year than traditional residence halls. Financial gifts to the University have made the construction of each scholarship hall possible since the establishment of the very first, Watkins Hall, in 1926 by Elizabeth Miller Watkins.
Living in the “schol halls” has many advantages that can’t be found anywhere else. Besides being one of the most inexpensive housing options available in Lawrence, the schol halls’ small size allows for a much closer knit community than in residence halls with hundreds - even thousands - of people. Everyone within a scholarship hall knows one another, and close friendships are easily made. At a time when many college students are feeling homesick, the schol halls offer a home away from home that feels nearly as personal and comfortable as family.
Another advantage of schol hall life is the opportunity for involvement. Every year, each hall hosts a number of events that allow students to get to know people within their own hall and the 11 others. Because each hall is self-governing and has very little input from Student Housing, there are also many chances to take on leadership roles and directly impact the functioning of the hall. Some of those roles include planning social events, keeping track of the food supply, and being president of the hall.
The schol halls are also convenient. Unlike most off-campus apartments or houses, the schol halls are extremely close to classes, and nearly everything you need can be reached within just a few minutes. The schol halls are located on the east side of campus near Jayhalk Boulevard, where most of the major campus buildings are, making the schol halls considerably more convenient than even most residence halls and Greek houses. In addition, the schol halls feature fully-stocked kitchens that are open 24/7, unlike dorm meal plans that can be expensive, busy, and limited to certain times of day.
Finally, the schol halls are flexible. Each hall has a different culture, different opportunities, and a different organizational system, so students can choose the one that works best for them. The chores that each resident does to maintain the hall rarely add up to more than a couple hours per week, and they are just things that anyone living on their own would have to do anyway. These chore shifts range from vacuuming the living room to cooking desert, and they can actually be quite fun when done with a friend. A variety of shifts means that each resident can choose something that they enjoy doing and are good at; residents who hate cooking won’t be stuck learning to boil water for a 50-person meal.
Because the scholarship halls are such a great place to be, admission is competitive. The application process includes answering essay questions about yourself and submitting letters of reference. Student Housing and current schol hall residents work together to select new residents based on academic success, involvement, and financial need. Applications are typically due around the beginning of March each year. If you are interested in joining the scholarship hall community, go here for more information and an application!
Right: The front entrance of Douthart!
The building in the background is Fraser Hall, home to the Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology departments. It is the tallest building on campus and can be seen from all over Lawrence. Douthart residents enjoy only a couple minutes’ walk to classes in Fraser, and to most other classes as well.
Below: The front porch. Douthart residents can relax on the bench swing or study on the picnic table.
Right, Below: Entering the building, to the immediate right is the phone room. Here, residents can get their mail, tag in and out to show when they’re home, and of course, answer the main hall phone.
Below: Across from the phone room is the living room. Here, residents can study, play the piano, or take a nap on the couch. This is also where Douthart meetings and many fun events are held.
Left: Exiting the living room and going upstairs, you reach the personal suites. Each suite houses four women and has a common room and two small bedrooms (There is a common bathroom on each floor). The common room is shared by all four women and is the main area for studying, watching movies, or hanging out with roommates. It contains a desk and chair for each woman, with a built-in desk lamp and cork board.
Below: The bedrooms. Two woman share each bedroom and set of bunk beds, and each woman has her own closet and drawers.
Right: A beautiful view of East Lawrence as seen from a suite window.
Left: Going back downstairs to the basement, you reach the laundry room. There are two washers and two dryers which residents can reserve to use. Machines cost a dollar per cycle.
Right: Further into the basement is the computer room. There are two computers with internet and a printer for residents to use. This room is also home to Douthart’s supply closet named Henry.
Left: The basement is also home to the recreation room. There is a TV (with Cable) here that residents can reserve to watch their favorite shows. There is also a collection of board games to play.
Below: Everyone’s favorite room: the kitchen! This is where Douthart cooks prepare delicious meals large enough to feed all 48 women. Occasionally Douthart women will get together for dinner with their brother hall, Grace Pearson. Residents may also invite guests to eat dinner with them for free. If a Douthart woman can’t be around at dinner time, she can also make herself a meal or grab a snack anytime, day or night. There are several fridges throughout the kitchen area that are always stocked with plenty of food, and there is also a fridge to hold residents’ personal food items.
Above: Next to the kitchen is the pantry, always stocked with yummy snacks for late-night study sessions!
Left: As you exit Douthart from the back door, there’s a backetball net and a rack to lock up bikes. You can also see Grace Pearson, our brother scholarship hall.
What is a scholarship hall?
Douthart Scholarship Hall
A Photo Tour of Douthart
