REVIEW: The best hangout spots on campus

By Elise Kim ‘25

Picture this. A lonesome new Catlin Gabel School (CGS) student wandering aimlessly from place to place on campus, unsure of where to go. The new student thinks to themself, “Wow there are so many great spots to hang out! How will I ever choose?”

Look no further than this article, which will provide you with a deep dive into some of the most popular hangout spots on campus with a couple of my thoughts and opinions sprinkled throughout.

CAC lounge:

Constructed in 2013, the CAC is CGS’ newest building on campus. There are a myriad of spots to choose from: the far end of the room near the large windows, the gallery, or under the stairs.

Pros:

While the CAC is typically not the main location where I spend most of my free time, the few times I’ve hung out there have been pleasant. This is mainly because of the seating options which range from soft, pillowy couches to tall chairs, perfect for cranking out your history essay or simply chatting with friends.

Many of the students I interviewed appreciate the openness of the building. Sophomore Katie Jin stated, “When it's sunny, the natural light is super nice. I love walking in it as it is a very open space.”

In addition, according to senior Harper Davis, who has called the CAC his “default hangout spot”, there is “always something new” in the CAC. He described watching the freshmen conduct the "Barbie bungee" lab with amusement and also occasionally checking out the newest art installations in the gallery.

Cons:

Unfortunately, the CAC is not the most dependable in my opinion. I’ve noticed chairs and couches disappearing, then making a reappearance two months later. The same could be said for the Upper School students who decide to hang out there. Many a day has passed since I’ve seen my friends. I am often met with an empty room filled with empty chairs and the occasional frenzied mob of middle schoolers.

On the other hand, on the more popular days, the CAC becomes a breeding ground for–for lack of a better word–inharmonious– sounds. Due to the openness of the CAC, its effect when encountered by sonar is similar to that of a cave, as a cacophony of snorting giggles, video game sound effects, the squeaking of wet shoes on concrete floors, high-pitched squeals and roaring shouts bounce across all walls. This impedes concentration on school work as well as most conversation unless you are shouting at the top of your lungs, (which if you are that type of person, you should stop.)

In addition, on quieter days, you might want to refrain from having that ultra-top secret gossip session with your friends unless you want your innermost secrets echoing throughout the entire building.

QUAD:

1. Hammock:

The hammock sways in the middle of the Quad surrounded by several wood benches, making it the quintessential hangout spot. This is a spot where I rarely hang out, but many of the students I interviewed mentioned it as their favorite for a couple of reasons listed below.

Pros:

To start, its location in the center of the Quad is optimal for large impromptu gatherings. At the hammock, you are sure to see your friends walking to their next class or to the Barn, so you can easily invite them over to join the conversation.

Also, the hammock swaying in the soft summer breeze can provide those who need it with a much-needed nap after that mind-numbing math class you had to endure.

Cons:

You can enjoy all the wonderful positives of the hammock if you can climb in without catapulting yourself to the ground. I’ve seen several students fall off and eat a mouthful of dry dirt, a nasty afternoon snack they did not intend to have.

Additionally, Jin stated the hammock is almost always “nearly broken.” This comes as no surprise since every year I always see students pile on top of each other, stacking themselves like Jenga blocks as they play the “How many people can we fit on here until it breaks?” game. In fact, according to sophomore Vishaka Priyan, the hammock has been broken for “around 3 to 4 months now.”

*Hammock torn in two.*
Photo by Elise Kim ‘25.

There is also the fact that this hangout spot is downright miserable when it is pouring rain. No one likes a soggy hammock.

I’d say use the hammock at your own risk.

2. Senior Benches

Located just outside the entrance of CGS’ library are benches placed in the memory of students Karl Jonske ‘99 and Mary Otis Tucker Greely ‘56 who passed away. These memorial benches (now called senior benches) paint a pretty picture, as the space fosters new connections between students.

Pros:

Similar to the hammock, the location of the Senior Benches is ideal for large groups. I’ve found the four wood benches provide room for at least twelve people if you’re really squeezing everyone in there. The smaller raised wood platforms in the center of the wooden bench ring also provide a nice respite for feet, weary from dodging all those geese droppings.

According to junior Lily Wang, one of the more notable positives of this hangout spot is its visibility. “It’s the first thing people see when they go up the stairs [to the Quad],” said Wang. “People that might not know where you are, will be able to find you because they just see you.”

Like the hammock, oftentimes, students on their daily Barn run or migrating to their next class will take a stop at these benches and naturally drift into the conversation. It is not only wholesome to see friends who you’ve not talked to in a long time, but it can also lead to funny interactions.

For instance, my friends and I were hanging out at the senior benches, legs, and arms outstretched in the warm sunlight, and before we knew it we were having an in-depth conversation with Peter Shulman, a CGS Upper School history teacher, about Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Cons:

Bad, cold weather ruins this hangout spot as well. Just like no one likes a soggy hammock, no one likes a soggy bench either.

On those dreary days when that brooding, dark gray rain cloud rears its ugly head, instead of singing “Rain, Rain Go Away” for the umpteenth time–trust me, I’ve tried. It doesn’t work–, I suggest you cut your losses and move indoors.

DANT:

This is a frequent hangout spot for CGS students as it is one of the few places that has designated student lounge spaces: the freshmen, sophomore, and upperclassmen lounge. For this article, I will only be reviewing the freshmen and sophomore lounge because when I entered the upperclassmen lounge I got a couple of weird looks from some scary seniors.

Pros:

With its status as the designated student lounges, the freshmen and sophomore lounge (also called the Mindfulness Room) act as a magnet, attracting students from all across campus. Jin expressed her gratitude for the sophomore lounge as she stated that she would have a hard time locating her close friends on campus otherwise.

Occasionally, according to Jin, you can catch some juniors and seniors hanging out in the sophomore lounge. I have yet to see any in the freshmen lounge, however.

Both lounges have very comfortable seating options. The freshmen lounge has plenty of tables and chairs where you can make small talk with a group of friends or finish some homework.

However, if I had to choose I’d say the sophomore lounge seating wins every time. It has a perfect combination of study desks as well as more comfortable seating such as colorful couches.

In addition, the sophomore lounge has superior decorations by far. These include what looks to be a small tree strung with glowing fairy lights entwined in its branches. This tree, to my general delight, reminded me of a healthier, slightly amped-up Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

As you make your way to the back of the room, you may hear a sweet harp melody coming from a CD player. You may also hear the soft trickle of the leaky miniature water fountain perched atop a semi-soaked wood table. The cool blue ambiance at the basin makes up for the mess though in my opinion.

Cons:

The main issue I have with these two lounges is the smell. It is the kind of smell that hits you like a tidal wave, a melange of BO and the faculty’s freshly microwaved lunches. Jin described it as, “BO” and “crusty.”

Jin stated that the sophomore lounge “smells fine” as she’d like to believe the sophomores have better hygiene than the freshmen. However, from the times that I have hung out there, the sophomore lounge sometimes smells equally as bad in my opinion. Sorry underclassmen!

LOWER LIB:

1. Gerlinger

Donated to the school by graduates from the 1920s, Gerlinger’s Media Auditorium has evolved into more than just a space for formal presentations from CGS staff and students. It has the glorious honor of being added to the list of student hangout spots on campus.

The students I interviewed described Gerlinger as a place they go to to relax and unwind. Junior Inari Watkins has even fallen asleep there numerous times.

In addition, attached to the seats are miniature desks which are helpful for finishing assignments or can provide a nice place to rest your head for a quick power nap.

Gerlinger is also equipped with a projector which, according to senior Miles Wolohan, is often used by students during break to watch TV, movies, or play their favorite video games.

2. Jubitz

Many CGS students, windswept by the cold Portland winter weather, find refuge in Jubitz, as it is the closest room to the Lower Lib door. In my experience, this spot with its long rectangular wood table has been an area where I have often worked on group projects or a homework packet.

The large window panes that take up half the room let a pleasing natural light into the room which provides your eyes a nice break from the blinding fluorescents you see in most classrooms.

Cons:

Unfortunately, the same large glass windows that provide such heavenly light in Jubitz also can be a source of slight discomfort. Oftentimes, especially during passing periods or breaks, I felt like I was being watched constantly. Junior Caroline Mauro described it as “being in a fishbowl.”

Because Gerlinger and Jubitz aren’t marked off as the official student lounges, student fun is often interrupted by students or faculty members who need the space for meetings and presentations.

Also, most of the time these spaces are taken over by a large hoard of senior boys, so if you want to use this spot you usually have to beat them to it.

No matter if you prefer taking a nap in the hammock, checking out the gallery in the CAC, or talking about Krispy Kreme doughnuts with a teacher on the senior benches, remember that the thing that makes a great hangout spot is the wonderful people there!