Dickinson "Fridge" Gets A Fresh Coat Of Paint

 

The area in the basement of Dickinson C that was previously the Dickinson Computing Site, is gradually being transformed into a new "hangout" area that has been dubbed "The Fridge," since it is the only area in the Complex that has air conditioning. A proposal that was developed by the residents called for a calming blue color on the walls, a place for a flat screen TV, and an area that would someday support a projector similar to the Rodney "Corner" in the Rodney Dining Hall.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM DICKINSON A ON THE UD CAMPUS...

 

 

                            

           

Ray Street Finally Gets New Carpeting

Since the Ray Street Complex was built and opened in the Fall of 1991, the hallway carpeting has not been replaced. This makes these buildings one of the most durable locations on campus as the average life of carpeting in public spaces is 7-10 years. However, the carpeting was showing it's age so it was replaced in C last summer and in A&B this past August as the new HVAC system renovation was ending. For variety, a different shade was used for each building. Hopefully this carpet will last another 20 years and thereby beat the average again!

Congratulations Graduates!

UD Celebrates Earth Week!

As part of Earth Week this year, Facilities & Auxiliary Services helped to sponsor a "Dare To Unplug," day this past Friday, in which students were asked to turn off lights and any non essential electronics in order to save electricity and impact our carbon footprint.  The dorms up in Laird were selected for this program because they are metered in a way that can be measured precisely in order to gauge the affect of students changing their habits, even for just an afternoon. When the results were determined, both James Smith and George Read Halls reduced their consumption by 10% and the overall reduction in consumption was 3% across all the Laird buildings when compared to the same time period a week before.  In the photo, Anne-Marie from Facilities shares the results in a graph to students that stopped by the Facilities table at the Green Expo in the Trabant Center on Wednesday.

Grill & Chill in Smith Hall?

 

Sometimes improvements to a public area in a residence hall don't have to be grandiose or earth shattering.  On occasion all that is replaced is a microwave that gets updated with a brand new model.  This is what happened recently in Smyth Hall.  Also noted in this photo of the Smyth public area kitchen is our new soft drink provider, complete with a machine that accepts Visa, Mastercard, etc.

Ray C "decked out" in new lounge furniture

This Thursday a truck pulled up to Ray Street C to deliver a load of new furniture for the main lounge.  Although the furniture in Ray Street has been reuphsolstered since it opened 20 years ago, the plan was to replace the furniture first in Ray Street C to try out a new style for the Complex.  We are also looking to try out different furniture styles in anticipation of making a decision on what to purchase for the new East Campus Residence Halls going up behind the Perkins Student Center.  Feedback from the freshmen in Ray C may help us know what future students in East may need to study and or just hang out.

Spring Break 2012!

Have a safe and enjoyable spring break from the UD Campus...

George Read North and South to get new carpet this summer

Since opening in the Fall of 2005, George Read North and South have experienced alot of wear and tear on the carpeting.  Areas where there were borders and seams have been a challenge to maintain.  This summer new carpet will cover the entire two buildings.  The old carpet will be recycled as has been our usual practice.

Harter study area to gain a dry erase board

Around campus we have been using a roll of vinyl dry erase board material to create large "white boards" to facilitate group and or individual studying in the residence halls.  The size can vary but the fact that it is on a roll allow us to use up an entire wall surface and transform it into a room with an effective study tool. Some of the buildings that have already received a wall length dry erase board include George Read South, Independence, Smith & McKean, Sypherd, and Dickinson A&B. In the photo of the Harter lounge, the back wall has been prepped to receive the vinyl material, while on the left by the door you can also see a lounge light sensor that turns off the lights if there is no activity in the lounge to save energy.

And the Oscar for Best New TV goes to Indy West!

Before the recent Oscars Show, the TV in Independence West in the main lounge was upgraded to a 46" inch unit.  The new TV is in the same place on the north wall in the lounge, but given the size of the lounge, the new TV will allow more folks to see the picture without squinting and to celebrate special occasions. Often the newer buildings can get overlooked for upgrades due to the assumption that they don't need any attention.

Dickinson F gets an "A" in energy conservation

This winter, lighting timers were extended from Dickinson A and B to all six buildings across the Complex so that late at night or during break times the lights won't stay on in the floor lounges when no one is present.  These devices have been successful in saving an enormous amount of energy, especially duing the recent Winter Session on campus when occupancy was low and the lights turned themselves off when there was no one present.  Eventually, the intent is to have timers everywhere on campus as lighting is a significant part of the campus' total energy use.  In this shot, the sensor is seen on the right side wall just opposite the door handle on the third floor of Dickinson F.

Campus Living Expo hits a home run!

On Wednesday February 15, 2012, Facilities and Auxiliary Services and Housing Assigments Services collaborated on a special event at the Trabant University Center to showcase furniture options for the new East Campus Residence Halls, and also to celebrate the opening of sign ups for the residence halls for the Fall of 2012.  In addition to free sandwiches and sodas, approximately 1300 students came in to party with DJ Amaze and win great prizes including gift cards, trips, and the grand prize, to be awarded February 20th, of a year of free housing on campus!  Participants got to "kick the tires," on potential new furniture options for the new East Campus Residence Halls, opening in Fall of 2013.

"Old" Computing Site in Harrington to become "Student Activities Area"

During January and February, the old computing site inside the Harrington Commons is making a transition to a more useable space with new blinds, flooring, and a ceiling projector for internet and TV with a drop down screen.  Since the site was eliminated last year, proposals were put together with student input in order to determine a future use for the room.  The result will be an area not unlike "The Corner" that was put together in the old fitness site inside the Rodney Dining Hall two years ago.  The intent is to make the space into an area where students can hang out and sponsor activites.  In the photo, the flooring contractor is seen installing the new tile floor.  The plan is to have the room ready for a Grand Opening on March 1, 2012!

Super-size your Super Bowl in Brown Main Lounge!

Just in time for Spring move-in and the Super Bowl, Brown Main Lounge has a new Sharp 70" Big Screen TV.  This is the last phase of a project initiated by Residence Life to make the vast public area spaces in Brown Hall more adaptable to different activities. Crews from the Housing Carpenters, IT, and Media Services worked throughout Winter Session to get the pieces assembled to make the big game seem even bigger!

Ray Street A & B in line for new HVAC system and new flooring in the summer

During the summer of 2011, Ray Street C received a new heating and air conditioning system as well as new carpeting throughout the corridors and all public area spaces including floor lounges and the main lounge.  This coming summer of 2012, Ray Street A and B will receive the same new HVAC system and at the same time new flooring in the corridors and public spaces.  This then completes the renovation of these twenty year old buildings on a two year cycle instead of the previous plan that would have taken three years.

Experimenting with Carpet Tiles in Thompson Hallway

During the Holiday break, new carpet tiles were installed in the 1st floor hallway of Thompson as an experiment.  Although UD paid for the installation, the carpet tiles were given to UD to see if they would hold up to the wear and tear of a freshman hall.  The color selected was meant to accent the walls that were remodeled in a 1999 renovation of the building. If the experiment is a success and the carpet tiles hold up, then a decision may be made to expand their use beyond just Thompson.

New floor celebrates upcoming 100th Anniversary!

One of the most historic buildings on campus is Warner Hall, named in memory of Emalea Pusey Warner, who later became the first woman member of the Board of Trustees. Her vision in helping to create the Women's College on campus is enshrined in the beautiful residence hall building that was opened in 1914 and bears her name. When the basement area recently needed some new flooring a decision was made to inlay a reference to the upcoming 100 year anniversary of the building's opening.  It allows residents and visitors to recall and reflect on the beginnings of the Women's College, it's eventual integration into the University, and the significant milestone that 100 years of service respresents for this unique home to women at UD.