With the Carle Hall lobby renovations still underway, and the project expected to be completed by the end of the semester, residents have mixed reactions about the situation.
A July 2 Instagram Reels post by Keene State showed Community Directors assisting with the breaking down of walls in the lobby. The post was captioned, “Carle Hall has entered its renovation era. Stay tuned for the big reveal, coming October 2024.”
MB Lufkin, vice president of enrollment and student engagement, said the Transitions and Community Living (TCL) team was transparent about the project in the lead-up to the school year.
“The [TCL] team did a really nice job throughout this summer in communicating with incoming students about the construction and letting them know that that was going to be happening,” Lufkin said.
Additionally, Lufkin said the unconventional move-in process needed to avoid the lobby may have brought insights into improving the process for the future.
“Actually having the students go all the way around to the further side to go in actually worked out better, so we might continue that the way we routed traffic worked better than it had in previous years,” Lufkin said.
The project has also allowed the college to set residence hall rates at the same price across the board, which Lufkin said allows more choice for students who are financially conscious.
“We’re pretty excited about that because it just gives more options for students without having to have the price be in the consideration set,” she said.
Overall, Lufkin said she is excited about what the project will bring to the hall.
“The other advantage that renovating Carle is bringing it to a place where there’s now a really nice community space for students,” Lufkin said.
According to first-year Rory Owens, the renovations are progressing but show difficulties for current residents.
“We have to walk a little bit further because we are at the far door [AB side] instead of just going out the main door,” said first-year Rory Owens, “It’s pretty noisy… mainly in the mornings it’s loud. We can hear them yelling at each other.”
Multiple first-years said they would like a common area for all to come together.
“Having a place to go and make friends, all we have are these little study rooms which are very small and quiet, and they echo around the whole building,” commented freshman Ellie Kamienski.
“I’m excited for it to finally be done, for sure,” Kamienski added.
Community Assistants in Carle declined to interview with The Equinox about the project.
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