Each new school year brings its own unique set of changes, and this year is certainly no exception. The building of a new residence hall and a new volleyball court highlight the exciting new additions that have come to Northwestern’s campus.
Many students have noticed the fenced area where Heemstra was previously located. “That spot will be left as a continuation of the green,” said Patrick Hummel, the Director of Residence Life.
Construction on a new residence hall has already begun and expected to be completed by April. “This new hall is not intended to replace Heemstra,” Hummel stressed, explaining that a new West/Heemstra mega-dorm will eventually be constructed in the parking lot in front of West Hall.
Regarding the new dorm, Hummel explained, “There’s really nothing to compare it to on campus; it’s unique to NW. It has tie-ins to the RSC building and the future Learning Commons because they’re built by the same company. It will be square, resembling the Bolks apartments, but built as a residence hall instead.”
In the meantime, stranded West students take refuge in the “West Wing” of Stegenga Hall, formally First South.
The fire pit and volleyball court are two other new additions to the campus, thanks to the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Maintenance Department. Located near Stegenga, they are open for use daily. SGA president Justin Jansen clarified, “You don’t have to make any reservations for the fire pit or the volleyball court. They are here to encourage the building of community.”
Firewood is available for purchase behind a nearby garage for two dollars per crate to cover the cost of the wood. A responsibility card must be filled out by someone using the pit, strictly for safety reasons. A drop box will soon be placed next to the woodpile.
Buckets are available on site and can be filled with water on the west side of Granberg Hall. Students must extinguish the fire before leaving the pit. Rules explaining proper conduct of the fire pit are available there. For the volleyball court, volleyballs can be checked out at the RSC.
A horseshoe pit will also be added near the fire pit. “The horseshoes will probably be left on site, but they should also be available at the RSC,”Jansen said. He added that these new features are a privilege, not a right, and if used correctly, they will continue to be available.
