[JK37]

#WeHaveMoreMoneyThanWeCanSpend

[BJWilliams]

I wouldn't mind seeing SMGT get a new space of some sort. maybe not a whole building, but more that what they had Iin the School of Education

(And yes I know you're making light of mentioning my personal connection as a COMS alum)

[BCXtreme]

nice map. we should hang out.

couple things:

1. "Mitchell/Matthews project" = "Lakeside Dining/Residence Halls"???

2. "FJR dissed the apartment/suite-style dorm concept after these buildings were first pictured."
I thought everybody loved those apartments? Is that NOT what East campus consists of entirely?

(bear in mind none of that existed back in the day... what we called the "Senior Dorms" were just being constructed at the far south end of campus.

Thanks. The "Senior Dorms" are what the university now calls "the Quad" and everybody else calls "the Quads," right? Dorms 29-32? Cause based on the Master Plan model, those will be demolished in the future.

1. Sorry, I forget most people don't keep track of the architects. The two giant Commons towers were designed by Mitchell/Matthews Architects & Urban Planners. The smaller dorms we're now seeing, the lakeside dining hall, and the entire Main Campus academic area, were/are designed by VMDO Architects.

2. Define "everybody." I knew plenty of Main Campus students who had very negative things to say about both East and the students living there. (And vice versa.) Yes, East Campus consists entirely of apartment buildings. Yes, for a while there, most of the colleges in the U.S. were building apartment-style dorms en masse. Yes, most of those colleges including Liberty are apparently now regretting that because they're noticing those students aren't forming as strong a community as students in traditional dorms. At least, that's what JFJR said.

Liberty was planning a massive expansion of East Campus, that would have nearly tripled the number of buildings (Spring 2013 Master Plan), but then canceled it. JFJR wants to "spin off" the East dorms into LU-owned off-campus housing. And during the Spring 2014 All-Faculty Meeting, he said that Liberty was returning to the quasi-traditional model with the Residential Commons, and most other colleges were doing the same. Now, the Master Plan model he showed us actually is missing a few East dorms, and the suite-style Quads as well, so I think it's safe to say Liberty is not planning more apartment-style dorms at this time.

It's worth noting that, the years I went in to select housing on campus, East was always the last housing on campus to fill up.

I wouldn't mind seeing SMGT get a new space of some sort. maybe not a whole building, but more that what they had Iin the School of Education

(And yes I know you're making light of mentioning my personal connection as a COMS alum)

There's supposed to be academic space in the east tower of Williams Stadium when it gets built, and I think that space is for the SMGT program. That's how it sounded, though it wasn't made explicitly clear.

He just told us all to pray about it. This project is just getting started, there aren't even blueprints yet. So no word on where it's going to be, IMO it should be near the stadiums but that area of campus is so crowded already that's probably unlikely. If I were on charge I would tear down the dorms on The Hill and put it there, but I think new dorms are already planned for that area down the road. BC, you know these plans better than I do, any ideas where it could go?

I think that's a great idea, SCCA needs way more special equipment and resources than most of the other departments, so it makes sense to give them their own building. Unfortunately, I don't expect current freshmen will be in that building any longer than one semester, two at the most, if the location of the building isn't even final yet. As far as where it could go, there are two main scenarios:

1. The building does not appear on the Master Plan model in any form.
I find this unlikely, because that model is extremely current, and the Strategic Plan suggests they were planning to build a new SCCA facility before yesterday. But, if SCCA is not on the model, then it has to be either a) in an open space, or b) replacing a future building that is on the plan (see scenario 2). It could go where the current Religion Hall is, or in the open space between the Hill, Liberty Softball Stadium, and the Carter-Glass Mansion. It could go to East Campus. Hard to say, really.

2. The building does appear on the model with a preliminary location, size, and shape.
There are a large number of nondescript buildings on the model, for which we know neither the type nor occupant. There is an unspecified academic building planned in front of DeMoss Hall, across from the current Religion Hall. There are two buildings planned for the current bookstore property, which may be academic in nature. There are several buildings planned for South Campus, one or more of which may be academic. It may be worth noting that the northern of the two buildings on the bookstore property is rather close to the stadiums.

As an intramural softball alum, I'd love to see an indoor facility for that.

No offense to intramural softball, and I know you're probably being satirical, but that would be a massive waste of money. Even the actual NCAA softball program isn't getting that much. No matter how much money Liberty has, they need to continue to be good stewards of it.

And I went to a Fuddrucker's once. Can we build one of those on campus?

Umm … no. But if one opened in Lynchburg, I would be happy.

[PAmedic]

East being last to fill up surprises me. I HATED the dorms and would've killed to have an apartment like that

[Cider Jim]

East was always the last housing on campus to fill up.

My understanding is that Campus East and Residential Commons are the most expensive housing options on campus, at about $500 more per semester; in comparison, the Annex housing is $1,100 cheaper per semester.

[PAmedic]

OK that makes more sense. But I would've killed for an apartment

[BCXtreme]

East being last to fill up surprises me. I HATED the dorms and would've killed to have an apartment like that

East remains the largest of the housing areas, with about 2,800 beds. Only a little over half of those beds are in 2-bed rooms, while the rest are in 3-bed rooms of the same size (smaller than the Hill/Circle). Each apartment has 7 students. Most of East has a long walk to DeMoss, and a longer walk to Reber-Thomas, rivaled only by the Quad (at least East has bus stops). There is NO janitorial service at all. In case you don't already know this, East Campus buildings are divided in half: the top two floors and bottom two floors each form a "hall," which is how they determine RA placement, et cetera. Each apartment has its own exterior door with Flames Pass access, so most of the "halls" don't have the same cohesion as actual halls.

The space/price ratios compared to the Hill/Circle can make it undesirable for a lot of people. It's a lot of beds to fill. It doesn't help that most of the upperclassmen, who are logically going to be the most interested in quieter apartment living versus "dorm life," bolt campus as soon they're eligible. East apartment "halls" are run just like the other dorms: there really is no greater freedom, autonomy, or independence compared to Main Campus (you can have toaster ovens … whoopee). You're still essentially being babysat by various tiers of "student leaders." And you're sharing living space with more than twice the number of people as on Main Campus. PLUS, while it doesn't have the same stigma as the Annex, it still has a connotation of being a destination for students who want to get away with things, due to the increased privacy afforded by apartments.

Bottom line: it's not for everyone. I used to think I would like it there, but then I changed my mind when I saw how small the apartment seems with 7 guys in it.

East was always the last housing on campus to fill up.

My understanding is that Campus East and Residential Commons are the most expensive housing options on campus, at about $500 more per semester; in comparison, the Annex housing is $1,100 cheaper per semester.

You are generally correct. East Campus 2-bed, the Residential Commons, and the Quad are all Tier 3 ($4600). East Campus 3-bed, the Hill, the Circle, and the South Tower are all Tier 2 ($4100). The Annex is Tier 1 ($3500).

[PAmedic]

OK that makes more sense

Also I'm remembering things from the perspective of a now 40-something yr old

[JakeP50]

There are a large number of nondescript buildings on the model, for which we know neither the type nor occupant. There is an unspecified academic building planned in front of DeMoss Hall, across from the current Religion Hall. There are two buildings planned for the current bookstore property, which may be academic in nature. There are several buildings planned for South Campus, one or more of which may be academic. It may be worth noting that the northern of the two buildings on the bookstore property is rather close to the stadiums.

I forgot about the new buildings that replace the bookstore. That's a great place for it, especially for my fellow digital media people.

[soccer7]

They should make the bookstore a true Alumni Hall. I'm sure that is part of the functionality of Hancock but if t a it doesn't feel that way. The two buildings that are in that space will still fit if they slide them down a bit.
As far as Sport Management is concerned I think they would fit best in Green Hall. That is if they can restructure part of that building to not look like a hospital or a maze!

[SuperJon]

Where would they put the bookstore 3.0?

[PAmedic]

I think they said its going in the new tower???

[soccer7]

PAmedic...that was what I took away from the info I read earlier in the thread as well.

[BCXtreme]

They should make the bookstore a true Alumni Hall. I'm sure that is part of the functionality of Hancock but if t a it doesn't feel that way. The two buildings that are in that space will still fit if they slide them down a bit.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this. What purpose does such a building serve?

As far as Sport Management is concerned I think they would fit best in Green Hall. That is if they can restructure part of that building to not look like a hospital or a maze!

As far the current buildings, I would agree. But if they give them dedicated academic space in Williams Stadium, that makes more sense by far. I believe that department is very involved with the athletics department.

Where would they put the bookstore 3.0?

I think they said its going in the new tower???

As of April, they were going to move either the spirit shop or the textbook store into the Landmark Tower. But at that time, whichever department did not move was going to expand to fill the existing bookstore. I'm not sure what the plan is now. One way or another, the textbook store needs more space, they are completely overwhelmed right now.

[Cider Jim]

As of April, they were going to move either the spirit shop or the textbook store into the Landmark Tower.

Two questions--
1. What's a "spirit shop"?
2. And where is said "spirit shop" currently located on campus?

[Sly Fox]

Forgive my ignorance, but aren't textbooks quickly moving away from hardcopies toward digital versions? If so, that might alleviate the textbook needs.

And I believe the spirit shop references the bookstore's licensed merchandise on campus exclusivity. But I could very likely be wrong.

[BCXtreme]

As of April, they were going to move either the spirit shop or the textbook store into the Landmark Tower.

Two questions--
1. What's a "spirit shop"?
2. And where is said "spirit shop" currently located on campus?

Sly is right … I think. He got a little wordy there The spirit shop is basically the campus gift store. It's where they sell all of the university's licensed merchandise. It currently takes up about half of the upper level in the bookstore.

Forgive my ignorance, but aren't textbooks quickly moving away from hardcopies toward digital versions? If so, that might alleviate the textbook needs.

I don't know that I would say textbooks are "quickly moving away from hardcopies." E-books are increasing in popularity, but not at Liberty University (at least not while I was there 2011-2014).

• A decent number of the professors, including most 100-level class teachers, still refuse to allow students to use technology in class, including e-books. Though this has improved since my freshman year.
• Quite a few of the textbooks Liberty uses aren't even available as digital copies.
• Most students don't have tablets, and e-books on a laptop can be cumbersome.
• Liberty's student body is very slow to warm up to e-books. Most I've talked to had no interest in reading a book off of a screen. I was pretty much the only person I knew willing to use e-books.

The bookstore is not a huge building, and the space available for textbooks is extremely small for a 13,800-student university.

[BCXtreme]

For the construction picture aficionados, I was on campus yesterday and strolled about the Vines/Commons/Circle area taking pictures. I uploaded the best ones to Google Drive. They do have descriptions. I'm waiting for Commons I to be 100% completed, hopefully later this fall, and then I'm going to try to get with an RA or somebody in the building to do a 360-degree photography tour, outside and inside, of the completed facility. But I want to wait until all that exterior work is cleaned up, and I don't yet know when that will be.

[Cider Jim]

Picture #15 is the construction of the amphitheater.

[Sly Fox]

Awesome pictorial tour, BCXtreme! There are descriptions for each pic but you have to click on the 'Details' button on the top right corner of the screen to see them.

I have to admit that I wasn't sure how that lawn behind the Vines Center would look but it is beautiful.

As an Old Hag, it is still tough to believe the ravine is flat out gone.

[BCXtreme]

Picture #15 is the construction of the amphitheater.

I'm still not as convinced as y'all that it's supposed to be a proper amphitheater. It's rather small, and sandwiched between two major sidewalks through what is going to become the major pedestrian corridor on the campus. If it is an amphitheater, it's only going to suitable for very small events. I feel like it's just going to be a stepped lawn. But we'll see. It would certainly be lackluster compared to the multi-thousand seat full amphitheater that has drifted on and off of LU's plans a few times over the years.

Awesome pictorial tour, BCXtreme! There are descriptions for each pic but you have to click on the 'Details' button on the top right corner of the screen to see them.

I have to admit that I wasn't sure how that lawn behind the Vines Center would look but it is beautiful.

As an Old Hag, it is still tough to believe the ravine is flat out gone.

Thanks! And thanks for pointing out how to get to the descriptions, I see them without that step so I didn't know to tell people to do that.

I say good riddance to the ravine. I was there one semester while it was still there, and it was a pain and a half, even with the stairs. The open lawn and lake are beautiful and really add a lot more to the appearance of the campus.

[Cider Jim]

There is still a huge stack of granite blocks that still have to be laid. By the time it's done, it should still seat a few hundred. It's kind of ugly now with all the red clay, but once they lay the sod and (hopefully) pressure wash the granite blocks, it will be beautiful.

[Sly Fox]

Some campuses here in Texas have similar set-ups that make for great hangout & lunch spots in addition to outdoor presentations. With the amphitheater overlooking the lake, I'll bet it gets plenty of use.

[thepostman]

I agree that getting rid of the ravine was for the best but it was one of those LU staples. Whenever I am able to break away and head down there and see all the changes with my own eyes I will be impressed but there will be that sentimental part of me that will wish some of the staples were still around...

[BJWilliams]

Agreed postie...Im looking at all these pictures and its jaw-dropping how different things look already, and I have only been out of town for a year. One of the first things Im doing when I get in for homecoming is touring the JFL and then checking out 90.9's temporary setup. Im also probably going to visit marching band practice, which will give me a chance to check out the Residential Commons I building on my way up there.