Northland College revamps residence halls

Four residence halls at Northland College are undergoing improvements this summer.

Northland College is investing $1 million to renovate four dorms on campus to enhance the living experience for students and improve sustainability in the buildings. The college began work on three of the buildings May 7. Work on the fourth is expected to begin next week. Northland expects to complete all of the renovations by Aug. 1, in time for what is projected to be one of the largest incoming student classes in more than a decade.

Renovations will take place in Fenenga, McMillan, Memorial and Mead Halls. The project is the culmination of seven months of evaluation by college staff and extensive conversations with the student body on how to best enhance living areas on campus. The renovations are the first large-scale improvements to the four residence halls in roughly a decade.

“Northland realizes the importance not only of the educational experience for students, but also the ways in which they live and connect with one another on campus,” says Michele Meyer, Northland College dean of student life. “We want to ensure that students have a healthy and vibrant campus community with residence halls that provide the appropriate space and resources.”

Renovations will include the installation of 60,000 square feet of new tile flooring, as well as energy efficient drapery to improve sustainable features in the dorms. The college will also purchase water-based paint as opposed to paints with volatile organic compounds. Such paints have been known to pose negative effects to human health. In addition, as the direct result of student requests, the college will add or expand kitchens in the four buildings and provide new exercise spaces as the result of student input.

Northland has hired six local contractors from the greater Ashland area who will employ 30 local workers on the projects. Businesses in Ashland working on the renovations include the Color Center, VHS Commercial Services, RE-Builders North LLC and Kitchen Bath Mart. In addition, Schelvan Decorating and K.V. Tech Corporation, businesses located in Mason, Wis., will also provide services for the project.

“Not only is Northland College helping the community and local economy by employing local contractors, but the college benefits by working with people who are only a phone call away,” says Tom Hmielewski, director of facilities at Northland College. “The simple fact is that the project will be completed more efficiently with local contractors.”

Northland’s residence halls can house up to 554 students. About 360 students resided on campus during the 2011-2012 academic year.

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