Information for New Larkin Residents
Where is Larkin (North & West)?
Welcome to Larkin – not the biggest, but the best dorm @ Stanford!! Larkin has two wings – North & West – each with two floors – Upper & Lower. It’s located in Stern Hall North (618 Escondido Rd, Stanford, CA 94305); however, 615 Escondido Rd is the better GPS address for rideshare pickups and food deliveries.
You’ll be a short walk away from most of your classes, and even closer to Meyer Green, Tresidder Student Union, Green Library, and most of Stanford's recreation and athletic facilities (with the exception of “FArrillaga” gym on west campus).
Learn About Larkin Before You Arrive
What makes Larkin homelike?
Yes, first, it’s YOU and the whole Larkin community! Stanford’s greatness is not only academic, it’s based on the value of its many communities. A first-year (frosh) house is among the most important communities you’ll be a part of. You’ll participate in many free or inexpensive experiences on and off campus; your birthday will be celebrated; you’ll make good friends, and you’ll create great memories! How you interact with other Larkinites will influence so many future opportunities! How you make the most of all Larkin resources will definitely matter.
Larkin has comfortable lobbies and some other small gathering areas in each wing and TWO spacious lounges – one in North and one in West. Each has recycling, compost, and landfill bins.
North Lounge has a piano, 100” monitor (for movies, video games, karaoke), a printer/photocopier, and lots of study space and couches. Each Wednesday night, we all gather in North Lounge – it’s a great time and space to get to know each other, engage in activities, and sustain a supportive community that you’ll call upon for many years to come!
West Lounge includes a large kitchen (stocked with a wide variety of appliances), vintage 9’ Brunswick billiards table, foosball table, table tennis, high top pub tables and couches. You’ll always find something to do in these comfortable living rooms.
Larkin also has its own courtyard with lots of comfortable Adirondack chairs, tables, and a hammock. Weekend BBQs, al fresco dining, s’more nights, movie nights, quiet study – Larkin Courtyard is a fantastic resource that makes Larkin an exceptionally spacious and comfortable first-year house.
Larkin North has a separate computer cluster near North Lounge with recently updated iMacs. Most software you’ll need is preloaded.
WiFi is pretty good throughout Larkin and across campus, though can be a bit glitchy during heavily used hours. Occasionally, if there’s a system-wide glitch, residents find that using a cellular hotspot can reduce anxiety about connectivity. However, because Stern has thick concrete walls, cell signals can also be spotty. WiFi is always being upgraded to address real-world needs.
Larkin has its own landfill, recycling, and compost dumpsters at the west end of Larkin North. They’re easy to use, but Stanford’s Sustainability efforts rely on your knowledge and thoughtful use of best practices. So, please learn more about waste sorting (requires SUID login).
What about laundry?
Larkin has its own laundry room in Larkin West’s basement. It’s free. There are four washers and dryers, and we use a Slack channel to communicate about their effective use. Though the University provides a basic detergent (Cardinal Clean), many residents prefer to use their own laundry detergent.
What are the bathrooms like?
Gender-specific and gender-neutral bathrooms are in each wing. All have stalls with doors. Showers also have doors. Hand soap is provided (along with paper towels, toilet seat covers and tissue, and basic menstrual products and waste bins). Most residents use a supply caddy to bring their bathroom supplies to and from their room; however, there are shelves in each bathroom where you can store your supplies. Compositing correctly is important, so please only put paper towels into waste bins near each sink (note: putting personal trash into bathroom bins may result in a fine).
How about the rooms?
Larkin has one-room doubles (double occupancy), each includes:
- 2 extra-long twin beds (mattresses can be flipped for soft or firm support)
- 2 desks and chairs
- 2 bookshelves
- 2 wardrobes (armoires) and several underbed stackable drawers
- 2 waste baskets and recycling bins
- 2 mirrors
- 2 Ethernet ports
- 1 mini refrigerator
Most rooms are carpeted. Rooms have casement windows. Each room has adjustable radiator heating (but no air conditioning). Courtesy telephones are available on each hall.
What about dining?
Stern Dining, one of the best dining halls on campus, can be accessed without having to run through occasional rainfall or copious sunshine. Stern offers a variety of options, including fresh salad bar, exceptional Mexican/Central American cuisine, pasta station, vegetarian bar with vegan options, and a fantastic weekend brunch. Ingredients and/or food allergens are clearly labeled (lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan). Daily menus are posted online or via the Stanford Mobile app.
Stern Dining hours
Weekdays (Mon-Fri)
- Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- Dinner: 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Weekends and Holidays
- Brunch: 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Dinner: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Your meal card (plan) works at all dining halls and Stanford R&DE restaurants. Late night snacks are available at a couple locations across campus. Check out the Stanford Dining website for more info.
What do you suggest that we bring?
Review the New Student Orientation Guidelines for Packing. Remember to bring twin XL sheets and blankets. Since you and your roommate may need different sleeping temperatures, we recommend bringing bedding that supports your preferred coziness; layers often help. Mattress toppers and/or pads are also nice to have.
Here are other recommendations or emphatic reminders: Consider…
- A portable fan (not a window unit). Larkin West faces … west, so it can get especially warm during the first few weeks of fall quarter.
- Laundry detergents and supplies are available for purchase on campus but are considerably more expensive than off-campus stores. Again, Cardinal Clean is free.
- Same goes for toiletries.
- Some residents prefer using shower shoes.
- If you’re bringing a bike, PLEASE purchase a good u-lock and Mips bike helmet. Both are available for reasonable costs at the Campus Bike Shop in Tressider Union, but you might want to purchase them before arriving. Though you’ll see some (risky) students not wearing a helmet, we can assure you that wearing a bike helmet can help prevent traumatic brain injuries. Bike crashes are common. Protect your Larkin lobes!
- A first-aid kit and over-the-counter medications will be useful. You can purchase them on/off campus (cf. Walgreens @ Vaden). Walgreens is the on-campus pharmacy – located in close walking distance from Larkin. CVS is about 1 mile away.
- Though there are many Stanford merchandise giveaways on campus, you’ll appreciate a good insulated water bottle. Make sure you put your name on it!
- Office supplies (e.g., spiral notebooks, writing utensils, stapler, etc.) are available at the Stanford Bookstore, but bring some to get you started.
- Your own printer can be helpful but isn’t necessary.
- Storage containers, especially for leftover foods, are helpful.
- Earplugs are often very helpful, especially if you’re a light sleeper or unaccustomed to living in an active residence.
- 3M Command Strips – when you check out in June, you’ll be glad you used them.
- Consider deliberating with your roommate before bringing a small microwave, TV, or other shared resource.
Shopping and Package Delivery Tips
Stanford’s Shopping Express can transport you to/from many useful stores. On that note, the Marguerite Shuttle (bus) system will be a useful resource throughout your Stanford experience! Trader Joe’s, CVS, and many other useful stores are located in the Town & Country Shopping Center.
Other helpful/interesting resources
- Larkin-specific “Discovery Challenges” are posted (almost) every week to help you explore and discover your local environs with friends. Prizes are awarded! Cf. example 1, example 2, example 3
- Yelp and Google reviews of nearby restaurants
- Yelp’s “Fun Things to Do Around Stanford”
- Zipcar: by-the-hour car rental
- Stanford’s Admitted Students Guide
- Lucie Stern Hall and Who is Larkin House named for?
