By Danny Nikander
STAFF WRITER
As part of a five-year plan to improve residential housing and other buildings on campus, the south side of the Netherlands Complex underwent significant renovations over the summer.
According to Joe Barkwill, vice president of facilities and operations, the updated housing included changes to the suites’ lounges, bathrooms and bedrooms. In addition, the walls were repainted and floors were redone, as well as new air conditioning units and new lighting installed.
“I love the family feel,” freshman student Janet Narain, a Breukelen house resident. said. “We hang out in the common room together. I like the feeling of being so close.”
“I’d like something that connects the north and the south,” the marketing major continued, “I feel like it’s too separate. The south had a big party during the lunar eclipse and we were separated from the north.”
Hofstra is planning to completely renovate all residential halls in the Netherlands and Colonial Square.
The renovations in the Netherlands cost $5 million out of $25 million allotted for the entire project. Barkwill, who prepares and oversees contracts for campus construction, said the money comes from capital funds that are reserved for renovations, not student funding.
Additional plans for future renovations include redoing bathrooms and some residential towers, as well as possible elevator upgrades, which is a project separate from the renovations of the Netherlands and Colonial Square.
Residencies that are not a part of this specific project will still undergo slight renovations in the summer. Barkwill calls this “refreshing” dorms, which essentially keeps dorms up to code for student comfort.
“We encourage students to be mindful about putting things on their walls,” said Barkwill, regarding things that can put holes in walls, like tacks and nails.
Residential buildings are not the only buildings that recieved renovations.
According to SGA Public Relations Chair Whitney Shepard, club office spaces were redone over the summer as well.
“As SGA begins its first week in session all-new doors with windows have been placed on club office spaces with all new club name tags courtesy of Campus Operations,” said Shepard.
Additionally, the new Center for Student Collaboration is currently under renovations to add computers, couches and pods for group projects. Furthermore, an interfaith prayer space has been completed and will open shortly on the second floor of the Student Center.
Similar to the renovations in the Netherlands, the club office spaces were not paid for by students.
Shepard said, “We have heard great feedback and now many clubs are excited to be able to see in and out of offices.”