University begins planning long-term housing overhaul
By: Michael Bargar
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: News
If you are a Furman student, odds are you've lived a year or two in either Lakeside or South Housing. The youngest of these residence halls have served the Furman community for over 40 years, and the oldest have been in use for over 50. Now plans are being made to completely overhaul these venerable buildings and reshape them for future use in the decades to come.
On Oct. 20, Furman chose the architecture firm of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company out of Norfolk, Va., to create a master plan for the future of Furman's residential and student life facilities. During this academic year the firm will engage in consultations with select students, focus groups and facility services to plot out a course for renovating the dormitories and other student life buildings.
While the resident halls are refurbished about every seven years, much of their electrical wiring, plumbing, boilers, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems are original and need to be replaced.
Jason Cassidy, the Director of Housing and Resident Life, said that the resident halls will be taken off-line one at a time because the amount of renovations needed is so great.
"This kind of work isn't something you can do in two months over the summer," he said. "You have to go in and take out walls."
Although Cassidy estimated it will take 10-15 years to completely overhaul the residence halls, the first step has already been taken. The purchase of The Vinings apartment buildings gives Furman "swing space" when dorms are off-line to move more sophomores into North Village and seniors off-campus.
The Vinings is particularly well-suited for this purpose because, with 150 beds, it can accommodate the maximum number of students needed. Any additional space can be rented out to the general public.
The renovation of the residence halls will provide Furman a once in a generation chance to adapt its facilities to future goals and aspirations.
"What is exciting about this is that right now the programs and services we offer are dictated by our facilities," Cassidy said. Any potential plans for things like faculty-in-residence or Greek housing is inherently limited by the buildings available.
With the facilities subject change, however, they can be rebuilt in accordance with the university's ultimate vision in mind. The planning firm will seek to capture this vision in its discussions with various parts of the Furman community over the coming months.
Some examples of items for discussion include the Engaged Learning program, fraternity and sorority housing, the ideal first-year experience, double vs. single rooms and suite bathrooms vs. hall bathrooms. The University Center, health services, recreational sports fields and counseling center are also up for consideration.
"Housing plays a critical role in the student experience," Cassidy said. "We need to be intentional about what Furman believes that experience should be."
On Oct. 20, Furman chose the architecture firm of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company out of Norfolk, Va., to create a master plan for the future of Furman's residential and student life facilities. During this academic year the firm will engage in consultations with select students, focus groups and facility services to plot out a course for renovating the dormitories and other student life buildings.
While the resident halls are refurbished about every seven years, much of their electrical wiring, plumbing, boilers, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems are original and need to be replaced.
Jason Cassidy, the Director of Housing and Resident Life, said that the resident halls will be taken off-line one at a time because the amount of renovations needed is so great.
"This kind of work isn't something you can do in two months over the summer," he said. "You have to go in and take out walls."
Although Cassidy estimated it will take 10-15 years to completely overhaul the residence halls, the first step has already been taken. The purchase of The Vinings apartment buildings gives Furman "swing space" when dorms are off-line to move more sophomores into North Village and seniors off-campus.
The Vinings is particularly well-suited for this purpose because, with 150 beds, it can accommodate the maximum number of students needed. Any additional space can be rented out to the general public.
The renovation of the residence halls will provide Furman a once in a generation chance to adapt its facilities to future goals and aspirations.
"What is exciting about this is that right now the programs and services we offer are dictated by our facilities," Cassidy said. Any potential plans for things like faculty-in-residence or Greek housing is inherently limited by the buildings available.
With the facilities subject change, however, they can be rebuilt in accordance with the university's ultimate vision in mind. The planning firm will seek to capture this vision in its discussions with various parts of the Furman community over the coming months.
Some examples of items for discussion include the Engaged Learning program, fraternity and sorority housing, the ideal first-year experience, double vs. single rooms and suite bathrooms vs. hall bathrooms. The University Center, health services, recreational sports fields and counseling center are also up for consideration.
"Housing plays a critical role in the student experience," Cassidy said. "We need to be intentional about what Furman believes that experience should be."