Staff Editorial | Maintaining dorm character should be a priority in renovations

This weekend, Vassar College is celebrating an historic milestone: Jewett is turning 100. The Milo Jewett House will commemorate its centennial with events throughout the day on Saturday, April 21.

The day prompts nostalgia for some, however, who remember Jewett before it was renovated. The graduating Class of 2007 arrived at Vassar with the building still under construction, and incoming Jewett freshmen were temporarily scattered across campus. Later in their first semester of college, these students were invited to move into Jewett, along with the Jewett upperclassmen who had also been displaced during renovations. Entering Jewett was like moving into a hotel for some students, as it exuded a sleek and modern chicness unlike the old Jewett or any other dorm. Many students were disappointed that the renovations had stripped Jewett of traits that characterize most Vassar dorms, such as wide hallways and wood paneling. It was quickly dubbed “the hotel dorm.”

Four years later, and in the tide of what will be another round of intensive dorm renovations lasting 10-to-12 years, it is important to keep the lesson of Jewett in mind. Many of the dorms are in need of significant renovation, and it is of the utmost importance that the College address quality of life issues in each dorm.

However, The Miscellany News hopes that these renovations will reflect residential students’ wishes closely and will not result in dorms losing their individual characters. Conversations about dorm renovations are perhaps especially timely right now, given that the moment of reflection prompted by Jewett’s centennial is coupled with the upcoming renovations to Davison scheduled to start in the coming months.

When renovating historic dorms, it is important to update the buildings for the future. Buildings should become more energy efficient and structurally sound—and their historical authenticity should be staunchly maintained.

There are several existing avenues for students to communicate their preferences and opinions on dorm renovations. The Vassar Student Association (VSA) has formed a committee that will meet to discuss students’ input in dorm renovations, which will also communicate these recommendations to the architects.

Furthermore, Dean of the College Judy Jackson is forming a Student Advisory Council to meet regularly amongst themselves and with members of the S/L/A/M collaborative architecture firm to discuss dorm renovations and related issues. Although this council has not been solidified, Jackson intends to garner a wide range of student voices, inviting members of the VSA, house teams, and several committees and groups to participate in making renovation decisions.

Dorms should certainly be restored to prime condition, but the College ought to constantly keep in mind that dorms are one of the most important parts of the Vassar campus community. The time students spend in their residence halls is central to their overall college experience, since dorm communities frequently develop a sense of pride and personality based on these shared experiences. Knowing that the campus will be undergoing massive and long-term dorm renovations, the administration must be particularly aware of how this affects the development of these student communities.

It is also important that students who are displaced from their “home dorms” during renovations be consciously welcomed into their new dorms. House teams should work together to host events that will regularly (and frequently) bring those displaced students together with their former dormmates.

Depending on the College’s decisions for renovations over the coming years, Vassar’s dorms could look vastly different when current students return for their own personal historic milestones—such as a 25th college reunion. The College should be mindful of how their architectural plans affect social dynamics for students, and should maintain the best parts of all of our dorms by improving the buildings’ construction instead of renovating their characters.

The Staff Editorial represents at least a two-thirds majority of the 20 member Editorial Board.