We asked students to describe Phillips Hall in one word
‘I mean, I don’t know how to fit ‘that class I almost failed’ into one word’
At UNC, many buildings on campus have interesting reputations.
Davie Hall is known as our ugliest building, Murphey Hall is known for being hotter than the surface of the sun and everyone knows the story of the bell tower being a dunce cap on top of Wilson Library.
Another UNC building that has made quite a name for itself is Phillips Hall. Right off Cameron Avenue on north campus, Phillips was built in 1919 to honor three professors from the 19th century. The home to mathematics and physics classes, many students refer to Phillips as “the place GPAs go to die.”
Along with being home to some of the most difficult classes UNC offers, Phillips also boasts what is arguably the most confusing design of any building, ever. Maps are placed throughout the hallways to try and limit the number of lost students, but clearly, people are still bewildered.
Map on the first floor of Phillips Hall
In the upper right corner, you can see where someone wrote “this building = designed by goblins.” Makes sense. Another student scribbled some philosophical inquiries. “Where am I? When am I? Who am I?” Being hopelessly lost combined with studying physics can do that to a person.
My personal favorite is written in the bottom right corner: “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,” combined with the name “Severus Snape” written over room 207. Even when UNC students are hopelessly suffering, they still find the time to be hilarious.
After meandering through Phillips, The Tab took to the street to talk to students about their thoughts on the building. We asked, “what’s the first word that comes to mind when you think about Phillips Hall?”
Martha, 20, Studio Art
“Intimidation.”
Ana, 20, Business
“Death.”
Abbey, 19, English
“I mean, I don’t know how to fit ‘that class I almost failed’ into one word.”
Allyson, 20, Biology and Political Science
“Hogwarts.” (Maybe this explains the Harry Potter references from earlier?)
Stuart, 21, and Chichi, 20, Global Studies
Stuart: “Old.”
Chichi: “Dark.”
Stuart also mentioned that when her dad attended UNC in the 80s, he used a little room on the third floor as a study space. I was just amazed that he could find his way up there. I didn’t even know Phillips had a third floor.
Clearly, Phillips Hall’s reputation is not the best in the world. It’s old, confusing and home to many a mental breakdown. So what was the best word I heard to truly capture the Phillips spirit?
Kaitlyn, 19, Journalism
“Hell.”