By Zorian Edwards, Editor-In-Chief

As you walk along Campus Drive beside the Daemen-owned apartments, one detail stands out: the building numbers make no sense. They jump from 71 to 101 to 57 without any clear order, offering little help to anyone trying to navigate the area.

This confusion is a common trend among new and upcoming Daemen students. Navigating the apartments by their numbers doesn’t give students much direction. Daemen history sheds light on why the numbering system is this way today.

“The building lot spaces were originally numbered based on the houses that once stood where the building is now located,” said former Vice President for Business Affairs, Robert Beiswanger. “For example, instead of just having Building 56, there used to be houses numbered 55 and 57 on either side. The numbering system is coordinated with the postal service and the Town of Amherst to maintain the existing addresses for mail delivery. So it’s not only ‘Building 56.’ It’s more like ‘Apartment 56, Daemen University, 4380 Main St., Amherst, N.Y. 14226.’”

Although this was the core reason, there are other explanations for why the apartment numbers have stayed this way. According to Kathryn Hammer, associate vice president for advancement and alumni relations, the numbering was also kept for alumni who attended the university during the construction of the campus apartments in 2001. Students often identified themselves with the building they lived in, such as 56, 57, 58 and so on.

“I don’t see a problem with keeping them the same for familiarity and historical significance,” said Erin Goodfellow, a 2008 alumna. “But if push came to shove, I’m not as attached to the number as I am to the memories that were made in the building, (Apartment 56).”

Today, students and incoming students are left wondering why the apartments are numbered in this disconnected manner.

“I find the current numbering a little confusing, especially for new students,” said Carrie Schmeelk, a sophomore graphic design major. “I feel that changing it to something more linear would be easier to follow…and would subconsciously tell people which group of apartment buildings to go to when moving in or visiting.”

Schmeelk isn’t the only current student who feels this way. The unusual numbering has confused many students navigating the campus.

“I remember being a new student and getting lost during events before I was a tour guide,” Jaymi Stephens, junior social work major “I would prefer it if the numbers were changed, to be honest. I don’t think it would be confusing, maybe just an adjustment period, especially for deliveries.”

While the numbering system might not change anytime soon, the story behind it gives students a glimpse into Daemen’s history, one that connects the past campus to the present, number mix-ups and all.