By Cate Lecuyer
BEVERLY — Freshman Hailey Darr got her first homework assignment yesterday as classes commenced at Montserrat College of Art.
"We had to paint a gray-scale, and I needed a place to let it dry," she said.
As one of the students in the new residence halls — or the Helena J. Sturnick Village to be precise — she was also the very first student to take advantage of the large studio space in the basement.
In a small nook, she lined up the seven papers, each a different shade of gray.
Above them, a small handwritten sign proclaimed: "Wet Paint Pls Leave Alone."
Over the weekend, 198 students returned to Montserrat, and 145 students started their freshman year at the small arts college.
The $7 million residence halls were part of President Sturnick's plan to revive the college, and over the weekend students began moving in with their bedding and blankets, room decorations, and artwork.
The hallways — a designated display space — filled up fast.
"I was just wandering the halls and looking at other people's artwork," Darr said.
Freshman Hugo Sousa was also excited to be both starting college and living in the new residence hall.
"A lot of people have been upset that we have two fridges," he said, while smaller suites only have one.
He shares his suite with six other students — three freshmen, two seniors and one sophomore.
Freshman Tom Maio was also happy with the mix of ages in the new halls.
"Usually it's for upperclassmen," he said, "but this is for everyone."
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salem news.com.
