Excitement is in the air as students pass the new dorm building slated to open in the fall of 2017. After all, this dorm is the first built since Jerde Hall was completed back in 1969.
Yet, this building is only Phase I of the architectural improvements that will occur. Two additional buildings are now no longer just rumors but are actual concrete plans to improve the students’ lives at NSU.
The first of these new buildings is another new residence hall. Northern’s Residence Life Director, Marty Sabolo, acknowledges the current state of residence halls, saying, “Our current housing does not meet what students want and need.” He cites this as the main reason that NSU has decided to add two new residence halls.
Steele and Kramer were recently renovated in the early 2000s, and these dorms are the halls that are the most competitive to get into. “Our plans to add another hall show an interest in being competitive, but if we really want to add that, much of our housing needs to be modern,” Sabolo added.
Sabolo indicated that students, faculty, and the committee will be heavily involved in creating its layout.
Although details regarding its construction are still being discussed, Sabolo believes that this dorm, which is slated to open in fall 2018, will replace Jerde Hall; however, it will likely be located where Lindberg currently stands.
The other new building coming to campus is a new math and science building. Faculty have wanted this building for a while now, and NSU recently received a $15 million private donation to make it a reality.
Provost LaFave indicated that support for this building comes from seeing the incredible growth in the science program here. He noted the huge number of biology majors, in particular, as a reason why this department is “outgrowing its space for teaching, programming, and even storage.”
Dr. LaFave emphasized that this new building will give students a “modern and safe environment” in which to conduct research and attend class. He addresses the rumors that the building will be located where the football practice field currently lies, explaining that this location would be perfect for achieving their goal of making this building “a gateway to campus.”
Dr. LaFave indicated that a new campus master plan will perhaps be revisited to accommodate for improving the football team’s facilities.
Annika van Oosbree
STAFF WRITER
The Exponent 