Spotlight

Towers newly renovated

Abraham Maslow would like the Towers renovations.

The psychologist’s famous hierarchy of needs postulated that a person can’t move toward the upper levels of existence – love and belonging, esteem and finally self-actualization – if the rudimentary needs of physiological necessities and safety aren’t met.

The ongoing renovations at the Towers residence halls seek to improve living conditions based on the needs of today’s students, said Craig Reinehr, director of residential life. Along the lines of Maslow’s hierarchy, the $8.5 million-plus improvements fit into a campus-wide approach to student success titled the “first-year experience.” The idea is that a finer atmosphere will improve recruitment and retention and the engagement rate of students.

The north tower was finished in the summer and is housing its first students this fall, while the south tower is now stripped to its bare concrete supports. Reinehr proudly toured the north tower in October, carefully removing misplaced fliers taped onto the
painted walls. For those who remember the old two-person rooms, the suites on floors 1 through 4 are a tremendous upgrade. What was once three rooms is now a four-person room – a living room in the middle, with two sleeping areas off either side. Each bedroom
has a sink, which is a new feature.

Flexibility is the concept behind the new rooms. One notices the furniture, in that there isn’t much of it. The old rooms had beds and shelves built into the room, leaving little floor space. Now each student has an armoire, desk, chair and bed that can be moved
around. The living area has no furniture; students bring their own. Ten years from now, when tastes change, the furniture won’t be outdated.

The tower’s electrical system is completely overhauled to accommodate greater demands. Internet access reaches each room, and the main lounge downstairs is wireless. The main lounge and each floor lounge is opened up by removing walls.
Another key upgrade is privacy. The bathrooms on each floor have shower stalls with benches and hooks for clothes, a far cry from the former rows of showers and sinks that had more of an “institutionalized” feeling, Reinehr noted. “The environment you have here is something that people want to live in,” Reinehr said. “It’s a part of recruiting and retaining students. The aesthetics of it is to attract students to come to it, attract students to stay.”

Bed space in the towers won’t change much, even with the switch to suites on the lower four floors while keeping double rooms on the top four floors. It’s about 220 per tower, whereas the old towers held 240 each. The south tower will hold eight floors of freshmen, and should be ready for students by the summer. The tower’s programming will focus on a positive first-year experience. Maybe then that classroom lesson on
Maslow will be a little easier to remember.

See the story in the electronic magazine, page 7

Back to the Spotlight home page

Last Updated April 17, 2008