First College
40.344808113489, -74.6561113
First College was originally built to accommodate the increasing size of the undergraduate student body. On completion of the “New Quad," as it was known then, students of all classes were permitted to live there. The college assumed the Woodrow Wilson College name in 1966. In 2020, it was renamed First College.
After the University initiated the Residential College system, the brainchild of former University president Woodrow Wilson, only underclassmen were permitted to live in New Quad. Residents could take their meals together in the college as an alternative to the eating clubs.
The college is centered on Wilcox Hall which includes Wilcox Dining Hall, a TV lounge, study space, ping pong table, a darkroom, dance rooms, a small theater and Julian Street Library. “J Street” contains more than 10,000 volumes and is a popular study area for underclassmen.
The college evolved from the Woodrow Wilson Lodge in the late fifties to include buildings constructed from 1928 to 1988. First College’s nearly 550 students enjoy a residential community where weekly lectures and language tables bring students together in a unique living environment.
- Ceramics studio
- Dance studio
- Darkroom
- Game room
- Julian Street Library
- Kitchenettes
- Music rooms
- Printer cluster
- TV lounge
- Yoga studio
- Singles
- Doubles
- Triples
- Quads
- Quints
- 6-, 8-, 10- and 11-person suites
- Private and hallway bathrooms
Donated and named by the Class of 1937. First occupied in 1960.
- Singles
- Doubles
- 8-person suites
- Private and hallway bathrooms
Donated and named by the Class of 1938. First occupied in 1960.
- Singles
- Doubles
- 8-person suites
- Private and hallway bathrooms
Donated and named by the Class of 1939. First occupied in 1960.
- Singles
- Doubles
- Quints
- Private and hallway bathrooms
- Laundry - Basement
Donated and named by Class of 1927 and John Morton Clapp, Class of 1902. First occupied in 1988.
- Singles
- Doubles
- Quads
- 6-person suites
- Private and hallway bathrooms
- Laundry - Basement
Donated by the Dodge and Osborn families. Named for Cleveland H. Dodge, Class of 1879, and William Church Osborn, Class of 1883. First occupied in 1961.
- Singles
- Doubles
- Quads
- 10-person suite
- Private and hallway bathrooms
Donated and named by David Harold Feinberg, Class of 1963, and Carol Feinberg. First occupied in 1986.
- Quads
- 6-person suites
- Private bathrooms
- Laundry - Ground Floor
Funded by the Dormitory Fund Drive and named for Christian Gauss. First occupied in 1960.
- Singles
- Doubles
- 11-person suite
- Private and hallway bathrooms
Donated by the Walker family and named for James Theodore Walker, Class of 1927. First occupied in 1930.
- Singles
- Doubles
- Triples
- Quads
- Hallway bathrooms
- Singles
- Doubles
- Hallway bathrooms
Dining at First College
As a resident of First College, you will likely take most of your meals in the dining rooms at Wu and Wilcox Halls, along with students from Butler College. You may, however, choose to eat in any of the other Residential College dining rooms when it is more convenient or if you want to join friends there.
Take a look at the Dining Services website for information on meal plans, daily menus, hours of operation and bringing a guest.
You and your roommate(s) may configure the furniture in your room or suite any way you like, but all of the furniture must remain in the room for the year. Standard furnishings include:
- A single bed, which requires extra-long, twin-size sheets
- A dresser
- A desk and chair
- A bookshelf
- A closet or wardrobe for each person
- Waste and recycling cans
- Shades or blinds
- Message boards at the entrance to many rooms