Campus renovations are in full swing at the University of Dallas. From the Haggar cafe to the Gorman classrooms, UD is getting a sizable makeover.
Scott Bates, executive director of facilities and capital projects, said, “Our goal is really to improve the student experience on campus. So a lot of the things we’re focusing on are to make the student experience [and] student life better on campus.”
Over the summer, several projects were completed. New bleachers were installed in the Maher Athletic Center, Clark Hall was refurbished with new furniture, mattresses and carpet, and Teresa Hall was refurbished, particularly in its lounge area. The Cap Bar and Haggerty Science also had their share of upgrades.
Gorman was updated over the summer, with a focus on classrooms A, B and C and the faculty lounge. Renovations included new carpet, new lighting, refurbished wooden desks, and new podiums. New seating was also installed in the classrooms.
Dr. Ashton Ellis, vice president of development and university relations, said, “Right now, we are entering phase two of the Gorman update. It will focus on upgrading the faculty lounge kitchenette, refinishing the tables in the seminar rooms, and continuing to modernize the lights. There are other projects in the planning stages as well. All of these require financial support from donors to accomplish.”
The major project currently is the renovation in Haggar, which entails a new retail dining area in the space the bookstore used to occupy. Plans include more seating options and connecting the building to the outdoor second level patio, complete with sliding glass doors for easy access.
“It’s a little bit different in look and feel and the options you’ll have, but it is kind of an extension of the cafe. There will also be private dining in there, and that’ll be for special events, fundraising, things like that. It’s a higher end dining room,” said Bates.
The current phase of the Haggar renovation is expected to be completed at the beginning of the spring semester.
Most of these projects have been funded by donors or, in the case of Haggar, Aramark.
“Our alumni and board of trustees have stepped forward to get some of these projects moving forward, and it’s great to see the momentum and excitement build as each project is completed,” said Ellis.
In part, projects were selected utilizing listening sessions inviting the perspectives of students, faculty, staff and different departments.
“One of the things that came out of those listening sessions was they wanted to maintain the tradition of the university and the feel and aesthetic of the buildings and the interior,” said Bates. “So they wanted things like real wood instead of laminate and cozier, home-like feelings. So in Gorman, we could have replaced those desks with laminate desks. Instead, we decided to refurbish the real wooden desks for the students.”
The input of the university community was critical in helping determine what projects should be started.
Clare Venegas, vice president for marketing and communications, said, “The projects weren’t selected in a vacuum. It was really the result of a lot of surveys and focus groups and questions to different constituents.”
Much more is in the works. Future projects include renovating the Rathskeller, expanding the library, refining the Madonna courts, building a supplementary gymnasium and renovating the Mall.
Dr. Jonathan Sanford, president of the university, said, “We’re close to having raised enough money for the first phase of a mall renovation project. We want to improve the mall substantially. That’s going to take a little while to raise all of the money, but we want to get one phase of it done. I want to incorporate, particularly along the Mall, some Italian themes to our campus, to tie it to the Rome campus much more explicitly.”
More projects will likely continue in the coming years.
“Campus beautification is like a flywheel; it starts slow but with each revolution it builds speed and power,” said Ellis. “Seemingly small wins now lead to more interest and good feelings that feed into bigger projects.”
As of now, campus renovations are proceeding at a good pace, and UD is looking to keep that energy going.
“We want to build that momentum,” said Sanford, “ This is a huge priority for me, because I want to enhance the student experience on campus, and my goal is to make the campus as beautiful as our education is excellent.”