|
First came the RAs, followed by the football players, followed by other lucky CMCers who moved into new digs in North Quad. Nicknamed "the pods," four new housing units were built over the summer at the corners of Appleby, Boswell, Green, and Wohlford halls, adding 12,000 square feet and 32 new beds to the oldest quadrangle of student dormitories on campus.
The two-phased project, a $7.2 million renovation approved by the Board of Trustees, now levels the playing field among existing residence halls, giving equity to the number of beds provided across campus. The renovated dorms used to house 63 students per building; they can now house 71 (including Resident Assistants), making them comparable to The Towers, which, by comparison, hold 72 students each. The project is significant, especially considering that North Quad houses one-fourth of the College's student body, says Tim Lopez, director of facilities and campus services.
As well as the pods, each of the existing North Quad residence halls were fitted with:
- Tesa locks, allowing student access with ID cards and a four-digit PIN. (The new system provides read-outs that would potentially indicate any unauthorized entries into buildings, Lopez said.)
- Former cathedral ceilings, flattened, and equipped with new, recessed lighting, smoke detectors, heat coils, and fire sprinklers.
- Slider, dual-pane windows, replacing old "roll-out" models for each room.
- Bathrooms gutted for new tile, plumbing, sinks, and lighting.
- Upgraded closets (two per room), each equipped with two clothes bars and a row of cubbies.
Within each pod also sit a new student lounge and a new laundry room featuring new, front-loading washers and dryers that operate by a debit system rather than cash, facilitated through student accounts.
Making the trip to campus from Eugene, Ore., Warren and Sherrie Glover were enthusiastic about the North Quad upgrades, and toured many of the new pods on the day that resident advisors were moving in, admiring the additions. Son, Brent '06, is moving into a new suite in Appleby Hall, with access to the new amenities, after staying previous years in Boswell and Green halls. "We're so excited for him, the rooms look absolutely great," Sherrie Glover said. "And (Brent) was even looking forward to moving back in, early!"
Seven buildings in all were upgraded this summer: Fawcett, Benson, and Marks halls also received new fire sprinklers.
Back to Inside CMC
|
Four new pods were added to North Quad residence halls over summer, adding a total of 32 new beds to one of the oldest quadrangles on campus.
Tending to windows during move-in day for resident advisors.
During an informal self-tour of the new construction, Sherrie and Warren Glover amusingly point to a sticker on a bed frame in one of new pods that, by coincidence, bore the name of their son, Brent '06.
California-style closets, with two clothing racks and cubbies, will be a welcome addition this fall to students in North Quad.
|
