By Sudie Eisenbarth

In 1917, when both Kentucky and Blue Ridge residence halls were built, teenagers brought with them few possessions and probably fewer expectations regarding their campus living quarters. Times have changed, and the College recognizes the need to provide for today’s students.

"We continue to work toward the systematic improvement of our residence halls for the needs of current and future students," reports Jeff Eisenbarth, vice president for business and administration. "The initial plan was to renovate in phases, beginning with five residence halls in a five year period. We are nearing successful completion of this first phase."

Updating for today’s student

Before the latest round of renovations to the residence halls, the College gathered student suggestions, many of which were implemented in the planning and construction phases.

Gus Gerassimides, ‘83, coordinator of residential life, says students have had three common requests"the separation of study space from recreation space, more recreation space, and more flexibility in room configuration.

To help put these suggestions into place, special consideration was given to the existing recreation areas and new types of furnishing were used. "We’ve purchased new furniture for the residence halls that can be arranged two or three different ways,"Gerassimides reports. "The modular pieces can be stacked and rolled around in different configurations. Also, the recreation areas are being given some pizzazz as one way to preserve and promote the quality of life for all students."

Responding to student needs

At the top of the needs list is universal access to the College’s computer network to assist students in developing learning environments outside the classroom, part of the technology initiatives in Being and Becoming: Berea College in the 21st Century, the College’s strategic plan. One of the main additions during each renovation has been the installation of data ports in each room so students can be fully "wired."

As part of a ten year capital renovation plan, the College began with the renovation of Fairchild Hall, a women’s residence, as part of the Crossroads Complex project in 1998. Systems upgrades, including data ports, along with new carpeting and furnishings, were made to Danforth, a men’s residence hall, and Kettering, a women’s hall, during the summer of 2000 (see the Fall 2000 Berea Alumnus.)

This summer, Blue Ridge Residence Hall is receiving a systems upgrade, and will also receive Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance updates and fire code compliance components, a new roof, and exterior brick work. In addition, bathrooms will be completely remodeled and new rooms added to accommodate residents with disabilities.

Beginning in September, Kentucky Hall will be significantly altered to create a living space that supports a guided learning community. Upgrades will include new windows, doors, roof, systems and additional air conditioning and, of course, computer data ports. As a response to today’s students, the floor plan in Kentucky will also be altered. The plan has a combination of living choices, including the traditional layout, with sleeping rooms on both sides of long corridors, as well as suites which cluster a number of rooms around shared common space.

Student workers make a difference

As with earlier residence hall renovations, students are working with the construction crews and
subcontractors. Twenty-two students are employed on the Blue Ridge, Kentucky, and Draper classroom building renovation projects that began this summer. Seven students are working specifically on Blue Ridge.

Doug Singler, project executive for Frank Messer & Sons Construction Company, which has been involved in several of Berea’s residence hall projects, says the students are hard workers and interested in learning. "They get to learn about the job, get a taste of what it will be like when they get out of school," says Singler. "They learn to use their communication and listening skills, and to follow directions."

Curtis Hance, ’03, a sociology and communications major from Newport, Tenn., uses his construction experience on a project in Blue Ridge residence hall." Iappreciate the opportunity to use the skills I already know in order to benefit the college,"he says.

The students working with Brian Howard, Messer’s construction engineer on the $1.5 million Blue Ridge upgrade, have lived there in the past or are planning to live there this fall. Curtis Hance, ’03, has worked in construction before. "Curtis speaks up when he sees an issue," comments Howard. " He is concerned with the job, the outcome, what it is going to be like." Adds Curtis, "I enjoy being a part of building something people are going to be seeing down the road."

Once Kentucky Hall is completed, five residence halls will have been renovated as part of the comprehensive multi-year residence hall renovation plan approved by the Board of Trustees in 1998.

The next phase for residential life, scheduled to begin in 2002, is construction of a new 32-unit family housing facility designed as an ecologically sustainable residential learning complex primarily for married and single parents. The new apartments will be part of an Ecological Village (see p. 18) with a commons house facility for laundry, gathering, study space and mail room. Minor renovations to the 18 existing family housing units are also scheduled to begin at that time.

According to Eisenbarth, the College is currently working on financial models and capital improvement schedules for the next phase of residence hall construction. The renovation of the remaining buildings should be completed by 2012.