Warner Halll...a timeless gem in the UD dorm system

Walking into Warner Hall is like a step back in time to the days at the turn of the last century when in 1914 it became the first residence hall for the new Women's College that was created within the University of Delaware. At nearly 100 years old now, the building got a dramatic facelift in the late nineties as part of the Mall Project renovations. This summer, the plan is to update the finishes with new carpeting and furniture that will enhance rather than detract from the old style look. Looking north in the photo in the large assemble room on the 1st floor, the plan will be to replace and reuse furniture throughout the building without changing the overall style and appearence.

Minor "reno" for Harrington A/B Kitchen Area

Here is the video blog for this week explaining what happens when a 40-year old refrigerator's time is up!

Keeping the campus in tune!

At UD, resident students have access to a piano in every dorm under a program that began years ago. In addition to providing the pianos in public areas, they are manintained as far as minor repairs go and professionally tuned twice and sometimes three times in an academic year. In the past twelve months we have embarked on a program to trade in our older models with a dozen or so like new models that have significantly raised the bar for the whole inventory across campus. One of the locations for one of the newest models is in Smyth where an old baby grand piano was replaced this past week with an almost brand new model that has already earned praise from some of the residents. Other spots where the newer ones went in included Harter, Lane, Thomas McKean, and Christiana Commons. In the photo is the new grand in the Smyth main lounge.

No "Ceiling" on fixing things up!

In Dickinson D basement, a summer maintenance issue required the removal of all the previously glued ceiling tiles. The tiles were not appealing looking and rather than replace them one for one, it was decided to "suspend" a ceiling with gridwork when going back to make the area in this study lounge more professional when you do have to look up. The finished appearence is preferable to the old, even if it is "just a ceiling."

Bigger isn't always...but is usually better!

This fall we are in the process of mounting all the flat screen TVs that previously were on shelves, mostly in East and Central Campuses, onto adjacent walls. This should not affect in any way the actual viewing experience. The TVs attached to the walls have not become victims of theft as have some of the units sitting on the shelves. While in the process of attaching them to the walls, several locations will receive larger screen units like in Russell C main lounge and in the photo depicted from Smyth Hall basement lounge.

Rodney E/F storage to be converted to more "thoughtful" purpose

This fall, a storage room for extended housing furniture in the basement of Rodney E/F will be re-purposed into a dedicated study room. This will allow residents of Rodney E/F to enjoy the same advantage that the other four Rodney buildings have, namely a room just for studying in the basement. Although the extended housing furniture will still be needed in the future, there are other locations around the Complex and nearby the buildings where the furniture can be more suitably stored, allowing the room to be set up for studying. Updates on the status of the new studying room and when it will be opening will be communicated through the Rodney Residence Life Staff.

Dickinson B "scores" new rubber floors...

In addition to Christiana East, the Dickinson B floor lounges were used as "guinea pigs" for a new flooring solution that can be used in place of carpet. The new rubber flooring is much easier to maintain in high traffic areas and also in lounges that get alot of late night studying and snack eating in addition to just regular wear and tear. The floor lounges were also painted a few years back to give them a more modern look and the final piece will be looking into new lighting that will look less "institutional."