For thirty years, Demarest has housed extraordinary students. The establishment of Demarest's first special interest sections was an act of spontaneous, creative order which would not have occurred had Demarest contained two hundred students of a lesser caliber. Demarites are legendary for their talent, their intelligence, and their unhinged zeal. The building itself reflects the character of its residents; the cupola alone bears eloquent testimony to almost forty years of Demarest energy.

The first official Demarest Handbook was written by Demarest residents in 1989. It was a summary of Demarest history, traditions, sections, staff, Hall Government, and the requirements for becoming and remaining a Demarest resident. The Handbook became the responsibility of the Hall Government Secretary to update and distribute to all Demarest residents every year. Since the Handbook was produced by Hall Government and funded by the Rutgers College Office of Residence Life, there was much practical information which was not officially sanctioned and so did not appear in the Handbook. This more subversive information was put into the hands of the residents by Demarites and Former Demarites who produced underground publications at their own expense.

In 1995, there was no Demarest Handbook published by the Hall Government Secretary, and even if there had been, it wouldn't have contained the history and traditions of Demarest because such lore is no longer passed from upperclassmen to incoming Demarites. A group of Demarest alumni then took it upon themselves to publish two hundred copies of a booklet titled Demarest Unbound, which contained official and not-so-official information for the education and entertainment of residents.

Since it is prohibitively expensive to keep printing booklets every year, we offer this website for current residents, Demarest Alumni, and anyone who might like to live in Demarest Hall. Rare is the college dorm which inspires loyalty and affection in its residents; here you will discover what Demarest is and how its history has been crafted from the exuberance and creativity of Demarites.

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