Sorority Cold Rooms: A Unique Tradition in College Housing

Sorority cold rooms, also known as sleeping porches or cold air dorms, are a surprising feature found in some college sorority and fraternity houses. These communal sleeping areas, often located in attics or basements, offer members a dedicated space to sleep at any hour.

The Rise of the Cold Room

Institutions like Indiana University, Purdue, and the University of Washington house these rooms. They typically consist of rows of bunk beds resembling barracks, providing a place for members to sleep regardless of the time. The rooms are kept dark around the clock, utilizing blackout curtains and minimal lighting, and maintained at unusually low temperatures – at Kansas State University, for example, they are routinely kept at 62 degrees.

How They Work

Members store personal belongings elsewhere in the house, and may require electric blankets and heating pads due to the intense air conditioning. One TikTok user from Purdue University described her experience: ‘It’s one big room that’s really cold and really dark; you make it the coziest space possible.’

Historical Context and Room Assignments

Cold rooms originated as a necessity to accommodate larger pledge classes, sometimes housing up to 90 women simultaneously. Room assignments are often based on a ‘points’ system, rewarding members for academic performance, community service, and sorority involvement. Bunks are typically assigned based on these points, with desirable locations – like the corners of the room – being highly sought after.