As many of us know, St. Lawrence University is right now in the midst of a 3-year $30-million facilities enhancement initiative.

With the conclusion of the winter break and the onset of the spring semester, students and other members of the SLU community are starting to see some of those promised improvements beginning to take shape. According to an email from Associate Dean of Student Life & Community Engagement Christopher Marquart, “During the first year of the plan, we’ve placed a priority on the renovation of residence hall lounges and other areas that directly improve our students’ living-and-learning experience.”

Most of the enhancements that tie directly to student engagement are the lounges in the dorms. Newly renovated lounges are featured in Priest, Reiff, Gaines, Sykes, Dean-Eaton and Whitman residence halls. There are additional upgrades to both Lee Hall and Rebert Hall, either already in process or about to start. For Rebert, the renovation of the South and East wings is set to be completed by mid-March, with residents of the North building able to move into the renovated wings following spring break.

As for Lee Hall, it mainly involves renovating the various lounge spaces found throughout the building. However, one particularly sounding renovation is the installation of a new acoustic “wave” ceiling, set to be completed when students return from break.

In addition to this, other lounges, specifically Dean Eaton 1051 and Whitman 140, are set to be completed on Feb. 1. These lounges will have all-new finishes, furnishings and kitchenettes. According to the same email mentioned above, “both spaces will be equipped with TVs and heat pumps which will offer both heating and cooling options, reinforcing the University’s commitment to sustainability.”

These renovations have with them the hope to re-excite students of their living arrangements and, with the colder weather upon us, have them utilize some of their updated common areas and lounges more.

Thus far, it seems to be the case; students, particularly first-years, are utilizing these updated areas and enjoying the new upgrades. With even more upgrades on the horizon, the combination of the good reception of the enhancements thus far, along with the excitement of more to come, leaves the entirety of the SLU community with a happy, excited and optimistic disposition. Keeping a look out in your SLU email is a great way to stay updated on these exciting facility enhancements! As always, it’s a great time to be a SLU student!