The Online Reflector

By Adrian Kendrick | Managing Editor

The student body’s wishes may be coming true. Scheduled for completion on Aug. 1, East Hall is the new dormitory being built with University of Indianapolis students’ requests in mind.

According to Mark Weigand, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, students were surveyed, worked with architects and made recommendations for the new residence hall.

“The biggest feedback we received was the need for privacy and more social space,” Weigand said.

Dean of Students Kory Vitangeli said they discovered from the surveys UIndy was losing numerous of upper-class students because students wanted their own privacy. Students reported that if they were able to have personal space, they might stay on campus for the convenience.

“[East Hall] is geared towards trying to keep the upperclassmen on campus. We tried to attract them by giving them their privacy and some community space. So they can still get out and socialize with each other, but then go back to their private room,” Vitangeli said.

East Hall will have four stories, house 153 students, have kitchenettes, laundry rooms, two atriums, movable furniture, will contain all single suites with a sink in each room with a bathroom and toilet to share. Some rooms even have private bathrooms.

Because of the individual rooms there is an additional $400 charge per semester.

“It’s going to be worth it because everything is new, and I get to have a single room. It’ll be nice,” said junior Erin Cooper, who waited in line for two hours to sign up for the new residency on Monday, Feb. 9.

According to Weigand, building East Hall is one of the solutions to the recent overcrowding on campus.

“[UIndy] has been over its capacity the past several years. We actually had students living in the lounges in the basement of Warren Hall,” he said. “Our hope with this new residence hall is we’ll be able to take back some of those lounges and get them back to what their original intent was for.”

Not only will East Hall be developed to appeal to more students, but it’s also environmental friendly. The building is composed of green material; all products being used are recycled.

“Going green is an initiative [UIndy] is working on campus-wide, not just with this facility,” Residence Life Coordinator Kristin Bright said. “Since we have several different campus events, why not at the beginning of a new venture like this just be environmentally responsible?”

According to Bright, East Hall will be eye-catching and have a modern look. She believes students are excited about the new facility.
“I can’t wait to decorate my own room finally,” Copper said. “I’m really excited.”