[Sly Fox]

Indeed. We've come a long way.

[BCXtreme]

You younger folk have no concept of a closed campus. Yeah, you had to have permission to come and go through the only legal entrance.

Oh, I have a concept of it. It seems to be fairly common among the ultra-conservative Christian college crowd. I just wasn't aware that Liberty was ever THAT bad.

Honestly, even my own, much more recent experience on campus was not great. Hearing how things used to be just a few decades ago gives me hope that the university is ultimately moving in the right direction and it's just taking time, and there are just setbacks now and then.

[flamehunter]

You only needed papers during certain times. Plenty of people went jogging off campus during the day when I was there in 82. And you could ride off in a car too during daylight hours (unless you were boy/girl only).

[BJWilliams]

Sorry...when I lived on East Campus (pre-tunnel) I had to walk to my theology class by crossing the bridge over 460 to get to the religion hall...later when I was in the hill, I found out that you weren't allowed to take your laundry to East to get it washed...

Ah, that makes more sense. Your explanation, not the concept of leaving East Campus for the Hill. :I chortle audibly.:

I lived on the Hill and I learned to do my laundry at irregular times. I found home football games and Campus Church to be particularly good times to do laundry. And get food without waiting 30 minutes. I'm encouraged to hope that future generations will have it better.

Ps: No east campus, just a guard shack and getting written up if you tried crossing said bridge

Um … why?? Were students not allowed over there for some reason? Or was it like Pensacola where you got in trouble for leaving the "campus proper" without written permission?

IMO Liberty's rules are still way too strict in all the wrong areas (I can say that now that I'm gone and am not expected to follow them anymore), but I'm still amazed to hear the kinds of things students got written up for "back in the day."

Haha...I had moved back to the quads in 07-08 because a friend of mine had been placed as an RA there so I went with him...for what turned out to be my last year of undergrad, I decided I would move to the hill for two reasons: 1) it was closer to just about all of my classes 2) I wanted a different experience than I had before and it was either there or the circle

[ATrain]

I lived on the Hill my first semester...then moved to East and stayed over there until I finished undergrad. Easier to get away with stuff on East than the Hill/Circle. Except, I was a good Liberty kid and followed all the rules, but it would've been easier *whistles*

[BCXtreme]

Haha...I had moved back to the quads in 07-08 because a friend of mine had been placed as an RA there so I went with him...for what turned out to be my last year of undergrad, I decided I would move to the hill for two reasons: 1) it was closer to just about all of my classes 2) I wanted a different experience than I had before and it was either there or the circle

Ah, the old "follow-the-student-leader" trick. I should have guessed, seeing as that's a big part of why I have no close friends from living on campus 2011-2014. I just find it funny when students live on East or the Quads as freshman/sophomores and then move to the Hill or the Circle as juniors/seniors. Just seems very backwards, but I suppose that's par for the course for LU housing.

I lived on the Hill my first semester...then moved to East and stayed over there until I finished undergrad. Easier to get away with stuff on East than the Hill/Circle. Except, I was a good Liberty kid and followed all the rules, but it would've been easier *whistles*

There wasn't one single semester on the Hill where I didn't almost move to East. Each time, I ultimately couldn't be convinced that East would be that much better in terms of what I was dealing with. I didn't want to break rules, mind you, I just wanted to be left alone to socialize on my own terms.

Since the conversation has deviated toward housing, I'd like to offer a Master Plan prediction for commentary. The Spring 2013 Master Plan showed M25-M28 (formerly South Campus or the Outer Circle, now just the Circle) being replaced by new dorms. The Fall 2013 Master Plan removed that element, but now it sounds like the three female Hill dorms will be replaced instead (see my earlier post for evidence). Based on that evidence, I'm going to predict that all of the original, traditional residence halls on Main Campus will ultimately be replaced by new dorms. The South Tower ("Hospital") will probably remain, and the Quads may remain. But I think as the last few years of students graduate and/or move off campus and new classes come in, it's going to become harder and harder to sell the old traditional dorms to new students, and so I think they will eventually all be replaced. They will have such a tiny capacity and low level of amenities compared to the new dorms that it will be too hard to justify keeping them around.

On a side note, I've been told that the Liberty Champion will feature a construction update in its first issue this semester (probably next Tuesday), and construction will be a major topic of conversation throughout the year. So hopefully that means we will have some questions answered and news to report soon.

[alabama24]

Am I crazy, or do I see underground parking in the "new" dorms?

[BCXtreme]

Am I crazy, or do I see underground parking in the "new" dorms?

Neither, at least to my knowledge. Assuming by "new dorms" you are referring to the Commons (I ask only because "new" was in quotes). One wing has a partial basement for mechanical, electrical, et cetera, and the other wing does not have a basement.

[alabama24]

By "new" I mean the new dorms which aren't in the current released version of the strategic plan.

[BCXtreme]

By "new" I mean the new dorms which aren't in the current released version of the strategic plan.

Ohhh … I gotcha, you're talking about the "other" new dorms in that area that we don't know much about yet. No, I don't believe there will be underground parking. The area under those dorms is to be a new, two-story dining hall overlooking the lake. Chances are the area you're looking at is just a delivery/loading dock for Sodexo. Pres. Falwell mentioned the project briefly in the last all-faculty meeting, but the highest level of detail we have so far is what's on the Construction Management Associates website, which is a few months old.

[JakeP50]

The Rot was just renovated, kind of an odd time to be building a brand new dinning hall IMO.

[SuperJon]

The Rot was just renovated, kind of an odd time to be building a brand new dinning hall IMO.

Most campuses our size have multiple large dining halls, especially in the middle of large dorms. It only makes sense to have another one.

[BCXtreme]

The Rot was just renovated, kind of an odd time to be building a brand new dinning hall IMO.

I'm not sure if the timing listed on that website is still correct or if the project has been pushed out since then. But last time I checked, even though the renovations are beautiful, Reber-Thomas was still nowhere near big enough for the current size of the student body; I've already seen posts on social media this week complaining about how the dining hall is far too crowded. Each new dorm will add 1,200 students; the Residential Commons, with all buildings completed, will nearly double the capacity of the campus. I believe the new dining hall is supposed to operate alongside Reber-Thomas for a number of years, based on what JFJR said.

The Rot was just renovated, kind of an odd time to be building a brand new dinning hall IMO.

Most campuses our size have multiple large dining halls, especially in the middle of large dorms. It only makes sense to have another one.

+1. Between capacity and convenience, multiple dining halls makes more sense than having the entire student body converge on one single-story dining hall.

[bluejacket]

They should tear down Doc's and build a stand alone dining hall on East in its place.

[BJWilliams]

The Rot is nowhere NEAR big enough. Even when I was in school, it was all too common to see huge lines at every station, especially right after convo, right after Sunday Campus Church (when we had it) and right before Wednesday church. Its a small wonder why they haven't addressed the situation sooner.

[JakeP50]

I completely forgot about the idea of having more than one, and I'm one of the ones complaining about the lines at the Rot. Go ahead call me an idiot on this one I earned it.

[SuperJon]

Idiot.

[alabama24]

Some things come around full circle.

[BCXtreme]

They should tear down Doc's and build a stand alone dining hall on East in its place.

I had thought of that, but the plan to turn East Campus into LU-owned off-campus housing for upperclassmen makes the idea rather pointless. Long-term, better for Doc's to remain a restaurant, especially in its newly renovated state (which apparently is fantastic).

Liberty also plans to build an additional food court in the upcoming new Campus Center, which I believe will be capable of serving up to 800 additional students. If they can put some swipe options (now "bonus meal" options) in that location, it may help further relieve the pressure on Reber-Thomas. Ultimately, IMO, they will need four dining halls: Reber-Thomas, Lakeside Dining (Residential Commons), South Campus (Quads/South Tower), and then one in the new residential area being planned between US-460 and the monogram. To my knowledge, Reber-Thomas and Lakeside Dining are the only ones currently in the plan.

[BCXtreme]

Per the Liberty Champion, Pres. Falwell has opened the Academic Commons Parking Garage to all Zone 1 and Hill dorm decal holders. I guess the price was too high and they weren't able to fill the garage. At least they adjusted quickly.

[Purple Haize]

They should tear down Doc's and build a stand alone dining hall on East in its place.

I had thought of that, but the plan to turn East Campus into LU-owned off-campus housing for upperclassmen makes the idea rather pointless. Long-term, better for Doc's to remain a restaurant, especially in its newly renovated state (which apparently is fantastic).

Liberty also plans to build an additional food court in the upcoming new Campus Center, which I believe will be capable of serving up to 800 additional students. If they can put some swipe options (now "bonus meal" options) in that location, it may help further relieve the pressure on Reber-Thomas. Ultimately, IMO, they will need four dining halls: Reber-Thomas, Lakeside Dining (Residential Commons), South Campus (Quads/South Tower), and then one in the new residential area being planned between US-460 and the monogram. To my knowledge, Reber-Thomas and Lakeside Dining are the only ones currently in the plan.

Like that's ever stopped anyone or never changed

[bluejacket]

I had thought of that, but the plan to turn East Campus into LU-owned off-campus housing for upperclassmen makes the idea rather pointless. Long-term, better for Doc's to remain a restaurant, especially in its newly renovated state (which apparently is fantastic).

Liberty also plans to build an additional food court in the upcoming new Campus Center, which I believe will be capable of serving up to 800 additional students. If they can put some swipe options (now "bonus meal" options) in that location, it may help further relieve the pressure on Reber-Thomas. Ultimately, IMO, they will need four dining halls: Reber-Thomas, Lakeside Dining (Residential Commons), South Campus (Quads/South Tower), and then one in the new residential area being planned between US-460 and the monogram. To my knowledge, Reber-Thomas and Lakeside Dining are the only ones currently in the plan.

I can't see them following through with LU-owned off campus housing on the mountain. Only one public thing was said about the housing and then nothing that I can recall. There hasn't and won't be enough demand for a restaurant either. Sodexo is better than it has been, but most students want to eat entirely off campus if they're going to a restaurant.

However, something like this would be in high demand on East (and the entire campus) in Doc's location and free up valuable space in the Residential Commons area for something else. http://visitjmu.com/dining/e-hall/ Just one man's opinion

[BCXtreme]

I had thought of that, but the plan to turn East Campus into LU-owned off-campus housing for upperclassmen makes the idea rather pointless. Long-term, better for Doc's to remain a restaurant, especially in its newly renovated state (which apparently is fantastic).

Liberty also plans to build an additional food court in the upcoming new Campus Center, which I believe will be capable of serving up to 800 additional students. If they can put some swipe options (now "bonus meal" options) in that location, it may help further relieve the pressure on Reber-Thomas. Ultimately, IMO, they will need four dining halls: Reber-Thomas, Lakeside Dining (Residential Commons), South Campus (Quads/South Tower), and then one in the new residential area being planned between US-460 and the monogram. To my knowledge, Reber-Thomas and Lakeside Dining are the only ones currently in the plan.

I can't see them following through with LU-owned off campus housing on the mountain. Only one public thing was said about the housing and then nothing that I can recall. There hasn't and won't be enough demand for a restaurant either. Sodexo is better than it has been, but most students want to eat entirely off campus if they're going to a restaurant.

However, something like this would be in high demand on East (and the entire campus) in Doc's location and free up valuable space in the Residential Commons area for something else. http://visitjmu.com/dining/e-hall/

When the housing thing was mentioned, it was described as a long-range plan. It wasn't supposed to happen until after all of the Commons buildings were done, sometime next decade. It's hardly something they would be discussing in detail right now. JFJR's administration seems to have turned against the whole concept of apartment-style residence halls, so it would not surprise me if they follow through with it.

I went to Doc's several times last year, and it was usually packed, so I'm not sure where you're coming from. Maybe you're thinking of the old Doc's, cause they completely overhauled Doc's format last year, and again this year.

Regardless of what happens on East Campus, I'd say it makes perfect sense to build a high-capacity dining hall near the Residential Commons. By the time all is said and done, that housing area will hold half or more of the campus population, and in a relatively small area of land. Plus it will be directly adjacent to the Academic Commons, and building it into the side of the slope allows more dorms to be built physically on top of it, which is very efficient land use. It will be a highly convenient location for a dining hall.

[bluejacket]

When the housing thing was mentioned, it was described as a long-range plan. It wasn't supposed to happen until after all of the Commons buildings were done, sometime next decade. It's hardly something they would be discussing in detail right now. JFJR's administration seems to have turned against the whole concept of apartment-style residence halls, so it would not surprise me if they follow through with it.

I agree.

I went to Doc's several times last year, and it was usually packed, so I'm not sure where you're coming from. Maybe you're thinking of the old Doc's, cause they completely overhauled Doc's format last year, and again this year.

I was there quite a few times, too. Its almost entirely students looking to escape the long lines at Green Hall and Reber-Thomas. Its not a restaurant like it originally was intended to be, because there wasn't enough demand to override the campus needs. They transitioned to help alleviate the pressure on the other two spots. Now, its basically a tiny dining hall. My point is that almost no one outside of campus goes there to eat. Its not a restaurant anymore.

Regardless of what happens on East Campus, I'd say it makes perfect sense to build a high-capacity dining hall near the Residential Commons. By the time all is said and done, that housing area will hold half or more of the campus population, and in a relatively small area of land. Plus it will be directly adjacent to the Academic Commons, and building it into the side of the slope allows more dorms to be built physically on top of it, which is very efficient land use. It will be a highly convenient location for a dining hall.

I don't know what they will ultimately decide to do. If they make it a first rate facility to handle large numbers of diners, it would be an excellent decision. Based off of the pictures, it doesn't look like a very large facility to handle the Residential Commons and South Campus. All that being said, we don't have a good building record on that slope.

[BCXtreme]

I was there quite a few times, too. Its almost entirely students looking to escape the long lines at Green Hall and Reber-Thomas. Its not a restaurant like it originally was intended to be, because there wasn't enough demand to override the campus needs. They transitioned to help alleviate the pressure on the other two spots. Now, its basically a tiny dining hall. My point is that almost no one outside of campus goes there to eat.

On that point, I will agree with you. But I do think that its current format (especially with the new drive-thru), maybe with minor modifications, would be attractive to commuter students living on East, if they do switch East to off-campus housing. That is why I don't think it makes sense to actually raze Doc's to build a full dining hall at this point. If the university decides to maintain East permanently as on-campus housing, that would change things.

I don't know what they will ultimately decide to do. If they make it a first rate facility to handle large numbers of diners, it would be an excellent decision. Based off of the pictures, it doesn't look like a very large facility to handle the Residential Commons and South Campus. All that being said, we don't have a good building record on that slope.

Obviously I don't either, I just know what they've said so far, which hasn't been much. I do know that the preliminary plan calls for a two-level dining hall accommodating at least 2,000 students at once. Plus, the Tinney Cafe in the Jerry Falwell Library, and the Campus Center food court, will also be very convenient for the Commons students. Additionally, the dining hall would essentially replace that troublesome slope, and the roof would be level with the Commons lawn, allowing more high-rises to be built on top of it. The view of the lake and library from the dining hall will be fantastic.

IMO, South Campus needs its own dining hall. I feel really bad for the students in the Quads and South Tower, they don't even get bus service anymore and there is NOTHING anywhere near them; no food, no classrooms, no student center or computer lab, NOTHING. I'm hoping that a major overhaul to South Campus will be added to the Master Plan down the road, for those students' sakes.