The Triangle

Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Adrian Jimenez-The Triangle

In the last decade, residential life has expanded greatly, including addition of residence halls, implementations of academic learning communities and upperclassman programs, according to Senior Associate Vice President for Business Services Rita LaRue.

"The decision to move Drexel from a commuter campus to a residential living campus was a conscious one," LaRue said.

One of the first projects that this included was the renovation of Van Rensselaer Hall, more commonly known to students as Van R.

"The renovations were done by fall of 1997 and the President came in 1995," LaRue said. "It went from a building in serious disrepair to a hall that was open for students so quickly."

James Katsaounis, executive director of communications and marketing for the division of Student Life and Administrative Services, said, "The hall also had historic value."

Part of the renovations for Van R included turning the residential hall from a traditional single-room style to a suite-style, LaRue explained. Traditional-style rooms include single, two-person rooms with community bathrooms and kitchens, while suite-style rooms include a four- to six-person living environment with a private bathroom, common room and kitchenette.

At Drexel, there are four suite-style dorms including Race Street Hall, North Hall, Caneris Hall and Van R. The four traditional style dorms include Towers Hall, Myers Hall, Calhoun Hall and Kelly Hall.

A new residence hall, located between Kelly Hall and Ross Commons, will be a modified version of both the traditional- and suite-styles. Each floor will be football-shaped and will be separated down the center, from the top end to the bottom end.

Fourteen students will live on either side of the floor, two people per room. A few bathrooms and showers will be provided on each side; however, they will be single, private showers and bathrooms. Study lounges will also be added on each side.

In the center section of both sides, there will be a community kitchen and more study areas, according to Katsaounis.

The traditional style hall is most effective for student interaction, according to LaRue.

"Generally, students who live in traditional housing are more satisfied than students living in suites," Jennifer Calvert, senior assistant director of Residential Living, said.

Residential Living added Myers Hall's learning communities so students could interact with their peers on a daily basis in both classes and in their dorm.

Continued...

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