Besides electronic updates, bathroom renovations, roof replacements, furniture improvements and elevator repairs to residence halls on the campuses this summer, two new changes are in the works.
Livingston campus will see its courtyard between the Quad Residence Halls raised to support an outdoor staging and programming area where students can conduct group activities and socialize, said Joan Carbone, the executive director of Residence Life.
"One of the things I [have] against Livingston [is] the lack of a social scene. It always seems like everything interesting happens on College Avenue," said Nicole Lessner, a School of Arts and Sciences first-year student. "This is a great way to get students involved, especially for a campus that is mostly made up of freshmen."
The area will be electrically powered and should provide relief on the campus while its student center is temporarily closed for renovations.
Carbone said she hopes the project, originated by Livingston students, will live up to its expectations.
"This is the most exciting project," Carbone said.
In addition to a Livingston programming area being built, the River Dorms - which include Campbell, Hardenbergh and Freulingysen Halls - on the College Avenue campus will undergo several renovations.
One concern is that the residence halls have been without main lounges for several years.
"The main problem is that [residents] have no community space whatsoever," said Delmy Lendof, the assistant director of Residence Life. "Every residence hall on College Avenue has a lounge that is a decent size. The River Dorms are the exception. The idea of community space is limited."
The project includes placing glass walls around what are currently outdoor walkways underneath the halls, Carbone said.
The walls would make it possible to create main lounges, study lounges and other private study areas, Carbone said.
There are also plans to move the entrances to the front of the buildings, which would provide better security for both residents and students attending classes located on the basement floors.
But the probability of each project coming to fruition depends on the University's final budget approvals, Carbone said.
Should the University incur severe budget cuts in the coming year, she said some of the projects should still be approved.
"We feel really strongly that there are things you cannot [hold off] anymore," Carbone said. "The administration will understand that there are things that have to be done. The Livingston project is inexpensive, so pushing it aside would be foolish."
The projects are set to begin in the early summer, as soon as the buildings close for recess.
