Posted by Kat Kullman
Tuesday, Oct. 12, the Senate of the Student Government Association met to hear the news from the Scribner Village Replacement Committee, which presented the new plans for the dorms on campus.
The Scribner Village Replacement Committee came to Skidmore at this time last year to gain feedback about the new dorms set to be built on campus.
These dorms are intended to eliminate the need for triples in freshman dorms.
Architects of the Committee, Eugenia Brieva and Paul Vaivoda, presented the final plans for the new buildings.
"The biggest criticism we heard from the trustees was to create dorms that appeal to any class, not just to one. So we investigated and decided on townhouses, like Northwoods, all with single bedrooms. The next step was to find where we could find land next to this community, land with no existing buildings on it," Brieva said.
The Committee emphasized the fact that they are doing all they can to appeal to Skidmore students.
The biggest change the Committee is proposing is to utilize the parking lots in Northwoods that are only partially occupied by cars.
Three buildings, with 114 beds, would be created in this space.
Because of the displacement of parking in this area, the Committee is proposing another parking lot for the cars.
The new buildings would also improve some of the issues in Northwoods, such as the poor sound insulation.
"Phase two is the demolition of Scribner Village, once we've already created the other beds. We can't destroy one bed until we've built another. We've also put entrances all on the inside, which creates a park-like neighborhood atmosphere," Vaivoda said.
"People were wondering if these new townhouses would be isolated, but these fit right into the buildings already built. They're like an extension of campus. We're trying to design something for students, and make it funkier for you," Brieva said.
The Committee also stressed the sustainability of the project. The construction will not clear trees excessively. Additionally, the construction will occur primarily on land that has already been developed, an extremely green option.
All of the apartments will have geothermal heating and cooling and the construction materials will have a high content of recycled substances.
The Committee hopes that the first phase of the project will be finished by September 2012.
It is projected that the whole project will be completed in 2013.
In other news:
The Inter-Hall Board was granted a supplemental budget of $1,200 for Moorebid Ball due to the increase of students on campus. The supplemental was passed unanimously.