Five years of construction in the residence halls are finally finished with the most recent completion of Walker Center.
“Renovation within the residence hall area concluded in summer 2009, offering renovated Tower residence hall rooms and upgrades to restaurants,” Lauren Royston, director of marketing and public relations for Housing and Food Services, said.
Construction on the residence halls began in 2004 with the renovation of Adams Center.
“Each tower was completed in phases of wing-to-wing renovation,” Royston said. “Step by step, we were able to renovate an occupied residence hall with minimal disruption to residents and campus life while still accommodating the housing needs of OU students and bringing life to the University experience.”
Royston said renovations to the towers include lighting, floors, fresh paint, movable furniture and new fixtures in the restrooms. All tower rooms also now offer high-speed wireless Internet.
Liz Smith, psychology junior, lived in Walker Tower her freshman year, and said she is happy the construction is finally finished.
“It seems like it took forever,” Smith said. “Walker was nothing compared to the other towers when I lived there.”
Not only do dorm residents not have to live in residence halls undergoing construction, they get the benefits of the newly-renovated Couch Restaurants.
The Restaurants upgraded seating areas, floors and walls this summer. Royston said other improvements include better equipment, machines and more cubbies for personal belongings.
There is also a new media center which provides guests with the ability to watch the daily news or their own personal LCD TVs. Royston said the new seating area can be reserved by student organizations for events and programs.
“The spaces in Couch Restaurants are designed to encourage a sense of community and offers features conducive to students gathering together and spending time with one another,” Royston said.
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blakegriffin 2 years, 8 months ago
too bad they didnt really do that good of a job or try to have a uniform look
drawinfinity 2 years, 8 months ago
I would like to know if they are ever going to renovate cate center. The old walker rooms were fine, cate is absolutely awful. No one wants to live there, it's just where kids who sign up too late get dumped.
delayed 2 years, 8 months ago
I must say that Boldt did a pretty terrible job on the dorms. I moved into a renovated dorm in spring of this year and by the end of the semester, the paint was already chipping and the roof had leaks already. The quality of materials used to furnish the dorms is nothing less than "industrial" and cold. It seems that the interior designers put little effort into making the dorms feel like home, but instead only focused on cost. While I do agree that the dorms needed renovation, I think this renovation displays a clear lack of foresight. Oh well. I'm living off campus now and it is a much more pleasant experience so I won't spend any more time ranting about this. . .