2008 Woodie Awards
Just In Time
East Hill II Ready for Residents
Laurel Noble
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: News
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East Hill II is a full house with every bed taken. "We have mostly sophomores and some juniors with two floors of freshmen," said Resident Director Kara Agostino.
Finished just in time, mattresses and furniture were moved in a week prior to students arriving. "I worked here over the summer giving tours to incoming freshmen and lots of parents would complain that they didn't think the building would be finished in time. And I agreed," said Marlisse Cepeda junior.
But, regardless of the time crunch, everything seems to be going according to the plan. "There are kinks to work out just like any new building. The only complaints I've heard from the students dealt with their disappointment about not having closets," said Agostino.
The construction of East Hill II brings 500 more students on campus which has the potential to change on-campus life. Anticipating this, the school enlarged the middle cafeteria Dante's Den to allow more capacity. Other changes are hoped to foster school spirit. "Maybe with more students walking through Thomas they will notice and get involved in more activities on campus. I think it will be more of a community," said Agostino.
Some are not so sure of this hopeful change. "East Hill II can hold more lowerclassmen but upperclassmen still don't want to live there. I think they'll continue to live off campus because OV is their only option for on-campus living. When you're older you want more space and less dorm style living and your own kitchen," said senior and third floor Resident Assistant Meaghan Marrama.
In basic construction the look and feel of East Hill II is an exact replica of Horan. Some of their similarities include four and eight person suites which share one or two bathrooms, common rooms, and an eighth floor entrance. But at the same time there are differences as well. "I like that the lounges are enclosed. It prevents all the noise from going down the hallway," said Marrama.
This enclosed lounge also helps with keeping noise out. "On the eighth floor even though there is traffic the lounge stays quiet," said Agostino.
Some of the other differences range from every floor being a different color to tile flooring in the dorm rooms and bathrooms. "I like that there aren't those little tiles in the bathrooms like there were in Horan. Now the bathrooms will be easier to clean and they won't get gross," said Marrama.
There are only a few improvements to take into account. "As of now there are no stovetops or microwaves in the common areas. I don't know if they'll be installed later but for now students aren't able to make or heat up food," said Marrama.
Overall the feeling about the new building is positive. "I really like East Hill II. It's very fresh, brighter almost. People were very excited to move in. This year people showed up early to move into East Hill II. I've worked a lot of check-ins and this never happens," said Agostino.
Adding to the excitement of change is the thrill of history in the making. "I kind of feel honored to be a part of the first staff to work in East Hill II. After moving everyone in on the first day we [the RA's and RD's] took a picture of ourselves outside the building to give to archives," said Agostino.