The renovation ideas discussed during March 28’s Campus Master Plan Open Sessions leave the editors of The Equinox to ponder the proposal.
Ricardo Dumont and Gregory Janks from the architecture firm DumontJanks proposed to remove the Owl’s Nest buildings, create a western gate on Appian Way and reimagine other buildings on campus.
While we definitely agree with some of what is being proposed, we also see issues with some things as well.
Where we ultimately agree is that the Owl’s Nest buildings are an eyesore and something needs to be done about them. The current proposal would start with removing Owl’s Nests 6 and 7 due to the buildings currently being vacant.
We feel it is a good idea to get rid of Owl’s Nests 6 and 7 and focusing on removing the other Owl’s Nests later. On one hand these buildings need to be removed because of their refusal to be updated. On the other hand Keene State College should have as much on campus living for students as it possibly can.
Having places for students to live on campus is great for retention and the college should have as many accommodations for students to live on campus. Removing the Owl’s Nest buildings and leaving the land barren will do nothing for the students except make them live off campus when the other buildings are full.
If the Owl’s Nest buildings are going to be removed, Keene State College needs to put updated buildings where students can live in their place. Dumont and Janks proposed an idea of having a modern and glassy building in place of the Owl’s Nest buildings where students can have support services which may be stigmatized.
While we do see the benefits of having more student support services, we do not think adding a glassy building to Keene State College’s campus is a good idea. It would just be too different from the rest of the buildings on campus. It would also be especially potentially reckless to put a glass building next to Carle Hall. In an editorial by The Equinox in 2023 we discussed the repeated vandalism occurring at Carle Hall leading to fines. We think the awful reputation of Carle Hall speaks for itself in what a glass building next to it would lead to.
We do however believe mixing living spaces with services for students is fundamentally a great idea. More should be done for students to make sure they are safe and having a good time. This leads into what may be a controversial, but practical idea, which is putting a bar on campus.
A bar on campus may sound like a horrible idea, but plenty of other college campuses do it with minimal to no problems. Looking into what would occur if a bar was on campus is students who are ages 21 and older would have a safe outlet to drink and this would also reduce the number of parties in dorms. Keene State College used to have a bar in Rhodes Hall and we feel it is about time to bring one back.
Dumont and Janks also had an idea of revamping Brickyard Pond by adding a trail around the pond with trees, as well as boardwalks interspersed overlooking the water. We think this is a great idea because it would bring more personality to Brickyard Pond.
While nothing is set in stone, the editors of The Equinox want what is best for Keene State College and its students. We believe these ideas are of immense help for the college and would love to see them implemented.
