The reputation of “Dirty D” is infamous among Luther students and alumni — most students look at Dieseth as the worst hall on campus. Dieseth’s reputation is maintained by the number of pranks and incidents that occur anonymously in the dorm.

This year has been marked by several pranks, including a dead squirrel placed in the elevator, broken signs and a fire extinguisher sprayed all over a floor. Dieseth 5th floor has the reputation of being the most rowdy floor on campus and is typically seen as a party floor. Assistant Hall Director Molly Schumann (‘08) feels this floor has behaved better this year compared to previous years.

“Fifth floor has gotten a lot better,” said Schumann. “They have stepped up this year and taken their community into their own hands.”

Schumann also feels that Dieseth, contrary to popular belief, is not a bad dorm. The reputation is simply a stereotype people live up to.

“It is just an old stereotype from back in the 70s and 80s,” said Schumann. “Every building has its own personality and Dieseth happens to be a social dorm.”

Many people who live in Dieseth find it enjoyable, and some people really like the atmosphere of the dorm. Gretchen Schwanz (‘09) has lived in Dieseth and likes the social aspect of the dorm.

“For the second year, I am living in Dieseth and I like that all of my friends are here,” said Schwanz. “Not just friends on my floor, but the other floors are full of people I enjoy hanging out with. I enjoy being loud sometimes, and I know that people won’t be as bothered by the noise levels in Dieseth.”

Schwanz feels the pranks that happen in Dieseth are the result of a lack of respect for the property, especially because of the run-down feel of the building.

“I think mostly people do ‘pranks’ in Dieseth because it is so dirty and these ‘pranks’ aren’t messing up anything,” said Schwanz. “It does have the nickname ‘Dirty D’ but if it was a nicer dorm, I imagine there would be way less destructive gross pranks.”

BreAnn VanDeer (‘09) also lives in Dieseth and agrees that the dorm’s reputation perpetuates the pranks in Dieseth.

“The majority of the people living here enjoy having a good time, so they play pranks to get a good kick,” said VanDeer. “People don’t care as much in Dieseth if they make a mess because it’s ‘Dirty D.’”

Residence Life has made an effort to intervene and to stop destructive behavior, namely the pranks that are most extreme.

“Res Life has stepped up a lot the past few years,” said Schumann. “The staff is holding each other more accountable and we follow through on our actions.”

While Dieseth is social dorm, some pranks do make other Dieseth residents angry and they appreciate Res Life’s attempts to control the extreme behaviors.

“Some of the pranks, like poop in the elevators, frankly are gross and annoying,” said Schwanz. “It is quite unfortunate for the janitorial staff to have to deal with the immaturity of some of the Dieseth residents.”

While Dieseth may have a reputation for being dirty it also has the reputation of being the most fun and interesting dorm, especially on the weekends.

“Dieseth has personality,” said Schumann. “They are a social group of people who just like to have fun and they have the spotlight because they are Dieseth residents.”