October 05, 2007
SIUC dedicates Wall & Grand Apartments
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale officials today (Oct. 5) dedicated the Wall & Grand Apartments complex, raising the bar for on-campus living at SIUC.
The newest addition to campus opened its doors in all three buildings for the fall semester, after breaking ground in October 2005. With full furnishings and a modern, trendy ambience, the apartments give students a fresh housing option.
SIU President Glenn Poshard said the apartment complex, along with the new Student Health Center built adjacent to the Student Recreation Center, have created "a renaissance of the east side of campus."
"This apartment complex represents creative thinking, detailed planning and extensive cooperation among many dedicated members of the campus community," Poshard said. "This is an outstanding example of a forward-thinking University committed to providing the best possible facilities and services to enhance our students' experience here."
"This is a really exciting time for University Housing to have this level of quality," said Julie Payne Kirchmeier, director of University Housing.
"Wall & Grand apartments are the bridge for students between residence hall living and being completely on their own," she said. "They have all the amenities of any other apartment like a kitchen, living room and a washer and dryer but with the convenience of living on campus. They are close to classes, have one consolidated bill and don't have to deal with the worries that keep off-campus students from focusing on school."
Chancellor Fernando M. Treviño noted the role students played during the planning stages for the project.
"Students had a voice in the design, the color of the carpeting, kitchen appliances, apartment floor plans, even the design of the furniture," he said. "This setting, the well-built and nicely
appointed facilities and all of the amenities, are the result of long hours of planning, discussing, and I think most importantly, listening to the valuable input provided by students."
Kirchmeier agreed.
"This really was constructed with the student in mind," she said. "Not only did it incorporate the designs of students, it was constructed to be academically supportive and shows that SIUC supports students in their academics."
The project originated in 1997 under the leadership of Ed Jones, former University Housing director, as an initiative to improve on-campus living.
"We had residence halls but no apartments," Jones said. "I asked students who were thinking about moving off campus what they wanted, and they said they wanted to experience apartment living. Wall & Grand meets that need."
The complex sits at the corner Wall Street and Grand Avenue, just east of the Student Recreation Center and the new Student Health Center, and in close proximity to classes. The complex houses around 400 students and staff.
Students living in Wall & Grand Apartments pay just one bill, which includes all utilities, cable TV, local telephone and Ethernet. Individual contracts alleviate the worry of a roommate not paying or moving out. On moving in, students have a fully furnished apartment with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer, complete furniture and two bathrooms. Building I also includes a large social area and a convenience store for all residents.
Freshmen 21 years old and older, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students are eligible to live at Wall & Grand Apartments and can apply online at www.housing.siu.edu.