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CAMPUS

Alumni Hall renovation to coincide with 100th aniversary

By Michael Nardini Norwich
Guidon Staff Writer

This is an artist�s rendering showing how Alumni Hall will look when renovations are completed in 2005, the 100th anniversary of the building.

When Norwich celebrates the 100th anniversary of Alumni Hall next year, it will celebrate with a new look that will be closer to the original design.

The oldest dorm on campus, Alumni Hall houses more students than any other dorm. Those who have lived there know what an experience it is.

Originally, the Alumni Hall renovation was envisioned as a multi-year construction project that would renovate both the exterior and the interior, according to Brig. Gen. Michael Kelly, vice president for student affairs and commandant.

Kelly explained that the first phase took place this past summer and was primarily focused on the exterior. Changes included a new roof, new windows and brickwork along the top edge of the roof. The changes were made to look like the original Alumni Hall when it was completed in 1905.

The second phase, which is anticipated to take place during the summer of 2005, will concentrate on the interior of Alumni Hall. According to Kelly, the construction work will include electrical, plumbing and heating system upgrades, new floors, painting, and what he calls more �cosmetic work.�

There will be more toilet stalls in the bathrooms and more shower heads to help decrease congestion and crowding, especially after mornings when cadets have physical training.

�It�s about time,� said Cadet Aaron Ward, a communications major. �Waiting in line to take a shower at 7:30 in the morning when you have an eight o�clock class is a rush. Plus it leaves no time for breakfast.�

Additions to the construction project include new student rooms on the backside of the building, where the bathrooms are currently located.

�The plan is to move the new bathrooms to the interior of the building and, in their place, a new addition will be added which will house five extra rooms on each floor,� Kelly said.

The upper deck, or fourth floor, of Alumni Hall will have a new look. A command suite will house either battalion or regimental headquarters staff.

�A conference room will be surrounded by rooms housed by the staff,� Kelly explained. �The whole point is to create more room and better organization for the upper chain of command by having a conference room five steps from the rooms.�

A new feature on the first floor, which only Alumni Hall will have, is a set of three rooms with removable partitions that will serve as regular dorm rooms when all dorms are filled to capacity.

Kelly said, �These will be temporary rooms when needed or, if not needed, will serve as a lounge for the students.�

Originally anticipated to be completed during the summer of 2004, the $6 million construction project would require an abundance of overtime, Kelly said, adding that it could push the university�s budget to almost $7 million. Since the university had to raise the money, it was best to save the extra million and extend the construction over two summers.

Because of the construction upgrades, Norwich will save money on future maintenance costs. More efficient windows, modern plumbing and heating systems, roof repairs and new radiators for each room will ensure long-term cost savings.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Dr, Northfield, VT 05663. www.norwich.edu/guidon.