Ground broken for residence hall of the future
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus has seen a significant facelift with the addition and remodeling of the new University Center as well as the construction of the innovative College of Business and Economics building and the new University Bookstore. As the campus continues to upgrade its facilities, students will also see the addition of a new 446- bed suite style residence hall. "The new central core of campus will provide significantly improved teaching, learning and living opportunities for students and faculty and staff," Steve Summers, interim assistant chancellor of Student Affairs, said.
The yet-to-be-named residence hall broke ground Saturday, Nov. 8 and will continue construction through spring 2010. Occupancy is scheduled for fall semester 2010.
J. P. Cullen and Sons, Inc. of Janesville, Wisconsin will serve as the general contractor. "Cullen is a premier contractor in Wisconsin," said Summers. "UW-Whitewater is pleased to have their leadership with the first residence hall project of the 10-year Residence Hall Master Plan."
"We are excited about how this new facility will add beauty to the campus and be a nice complement to the brand new College of Business and Economics building," said Jeff Janz, interim dean of Student Life and the new residence hall project coordinator. "The new residence hall will bring distinction to the campus and set us apart from other UW campuses."
The first residence hall to be constructed in 40 years will bring technology and architecture of tomorrow to the UW-Whitewater campus, today. Though the building will be available for all students, UW-Whitewater’s mission of accessibility continues as students with disabilities can expect to find hallways and doorways more suitable to handle their wheelchairs, lowered service desks, 19 suites with universal access, roll-in showers with stools, non-recessed facilities as well as a multi-gender bathroom appropriate for caregivers.
"We really wanted to emphasize the fact that the building supports our special mission for students with disabilities," said Janz. "The unique architecture was constructed for better accessibility for students with disabilities compared to a traditional design."
In addition to ensuring the new residence hall is accessible to its students, UW-Whitewater is taking the necessary steps to making sure the building is also sustainable. The new residence hall will become the second L.E.E.D (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building owned and operated by the state of Wisconsin - the first to be on a University of Wisconsin System campus. To become L.E.E.D certified building planners must take an active approach to energy consumption and environmental awareness, two things this new building will take very seriously.
"L.E.E.D certification is extremely important as UW-Whitewater believes in preserving the environment," continued Janz. "The new residence hall will focus on using recycled products, minimizing gas usage and energy consumption as well as including a state of the art drainage system for reusable water."
If you are interested in contributing to the new residence hall, contact Jeff Janz at janzj@uww.edu or at 262-472-1533. Naming rights to the building, hall floors, computer laboratories, etc. are still available for naming rights depending on the nature and size of the donation.
