Students’ Memory, Space of Solidarity

Hamlin Hall is the first building of Boğaziçi University, founded as Robert College in 1863. It holds significant historical and cultural value. Since 1871, when it was converted into a dormitory, Hamlin Hall has been more than just a residence; it has served as a hub for student life, collaboration, and solidarity. For over a century, it has stood as a cornerstone of Boğaziçi culture.

Since 2021, trustee administrations have threatened this legacy. They have undermined the university’s democracy, academic freedom, and student life. Attempts to repurpose Hamlin Hall as an administrative building, without student input, directly threaten the university’s traditions and values.

Hamlin is where campus life and extracurricular activities flourish. Students occupy club rooms and dormitories, maintaining a strong campus presence. Its closure, deemed “unfit for dormitory use,” is more than a spatial change. It directly intervenes in student life. This arbitrary and coercive decision strips both the physical structure and the spirit of South Campus from its students.

Removing Hamlin Hall from student use will silence South Campus. It will diminish campus vitality and displace those who rely on its spaces.

Students give meaning to a building, turning it into a place of memories, solidarity, and shared experiences. Hamlin Hall has become valuable through these contributions over generations.

The Deepening Housing Crisis at Boğaziçi University

The dormitory crisis exposed by the pandemic at Boğaziçi University has worsened for four years:

• 2022: New students were only accommodated through additional quotas.
• 2023: Five dormitories were closed, and the new dormitory was completed this year.
• 2024: Students were left facing exorbitant rents.

The dormitory had a capacity of 5,337 in 2023. It is expected to decrease to 3,343 by 2025. Since 2018, the number of registered students has increased by 2%. The number of students living in dorms has dropped by 37%. This threatens both students’ right to housing and their academic lives.

Interference with Collective Memory is Unacceptable

Terminating Hamlin Hall as a dormitory disregards the contributions of Boğaziçi students and alumni. Most recently, in 2022, hundreds of alumni donated funds to support the renovation of Hamlin Hall. Today’s decision not only alters the building but also excludes students from campus, erases collective memory, and dismantles solidarity. For these reasons, we urge decision-makers to reverse this decision and reinstate Hamlin Hall as a dormitory, thereby preserving its legacy for future generations.

Hamlin Hall is not a building; it is a memory, a spirit, a tradition of resistance.

Therefore:

• No decision made without consulting students is legitimate.
• Housing rights cannot be postponed or negotiated.
• Remaining silent on the conversion of Hamlin Hall is accepting a campus devoid of students.

Because Boğaziçi is not just a school. It’s a culture we’ve created together. Hamlin Hall is not just a building; it’s a memory. Solidarity is Boğaziçi’s shared spirit.