Simpson Renovations Improve Dorm Life
Written by Chandler Ryd
Recently, residents of Simpson dormitory have woken up to the sounds of hammers pounding and backhoes beeping as construction crews are in the process of renovating the entire building.
So far, construction is completed on most of the interior of the building, including new doors and windows, re-tiled bathrooms with new appliances, fresh carpets, and a clean layer of paint to give the interior a sharper look. Two kitchens have been added as well as a North-side lounge area replete with couches and coffee tables. The lounge also comes with a flat screen TV where students can conglomerate to watch sports. Currently still under construction are new siding and a two-level patio in the courtyard with an outdoor fireplace and a barbecue. Future renovations include an extended covered entryway, a new roof, and an open staircase leading from the lobby down to a second lounge area on the South-side. There is also new, dorm-wide Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for students to bring routers.
“Overall, the renovations have improved the little things in the quality of living,” sophomore Jonathan Wolff said. Speaking of the new lounge area, Wolff said, “I come back from studying late at night and see people in there together watching a movie or a football game – it’s a pretty great place.”
Many of the residents are most impressed by the new kitchens: “The kitchen is solid,” junior Sam Clausen said. “I feel like I’ll go down there a fairly regular amount, and we’ve already cooked down there a little bit.” Regarding the outdoor patio, Sam said, “I think that the outdoor patios will be cool for the fall and spring…I think it will bring more non-Simpson people—so women—to Simpson. There are already more women visiting this year than there were last year.”
Ms. Wilson, the house director, has been impressed by the renovations as well as by the renovators, commenting, “The contractors are very understanding about the times the guys get up. They usually don’t start working until 8:45, just so they don’t wake up the guys early. But,” she said, “it’s a renovation—it takes time.”
Phase 1 of renovations, including the outdoor patio and fireplace, should be done by November 7th, while the rest of the upgrades, such as the roof, the new entrance, and the South-side lounge, should be completed during the summer of 2015.
Chandler Ryd is a freshman at Hillsdale College who is majoring in English. He is a Collegian Freelancer, creative writer, photographer, filmmaker, and craft root beer enthusiast.