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While checking out the Hagerman Group's website to see if there were renderings of the Sorority House complex, I found a list of their Valparaiso University projects. Listed under the Residential Projects, there's the Sorority Housing and "5 new residence halls." I guess the Hagerman Group won the contract for all of the additional residence halls. I just hope they all match the quality of Beacon Hall!

21,000 sq ft for 150 people seems quite small. I'll be interested to see the renderings of the complex. 

Hmm.  Provided the 21,000 square feet were all living space (but I'm not saying that's the case), it'd be about 280 sq ft per 2-person room.


Per Valpo's Res Life website, Brandt Hall rooms, which if I recall have the same dimensions as the other Freshman dorms, are approx. 11' x 13' (143 sq. ft.)


So provided the rooms aren't luxury suites, I think such a facility could house 150.


What I don't understand is the reference to six "townhouses," but then the reference to a single "building" in the remainder of the article.  Perhaps the building has a common area and six wings?
We'll see.

I guess I would compare it to the newest residence hall, Beacon Hall: 85,000 sq ft for 290 students. Granted, a lot of that building includes common spaces, but the sorority complex will also have a large chapter room.

I imagine that they will be 6 separate "houses" connected to each other, maybe on the first floors? It will be interesting to see the design.

21,000 sq ft for 150 people seems quite small. I'll be interested to see the renderings of the complex. 

Looks like VU will break ground in March on a new sorority house complex for the five national sororities on Union Street near the ARC. The six "townhouse style residences" will be complete in December. Afterwards, Scheele Hall will be renovated and opened to the general student population. This new complex will be great for that side of campus, which is quite run-down.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-valpo-sorority-house-st-0215-20150213-story.html

I realized that I did notice this a few years ago but didn't think to mention it because I thought I was the only one who noticed such things. I too think the word "Court" should be in a different font because yeah, it does look like "Coach Court", not "Coach Homer Drew."

This board has nothing but support for a hockey program, but we are also realistic. We've been talking about a desire for a hockey program for a lot longer than you've been on here, Valpo_Hockey. If you succeed, we will all be behind you. 

It's nice to see the sport gaining more organization and visibility. We might be ahead of the curve on this one....a really popular niche sport that we can use to our advantage! 

This is exciting! But it's a club team, right? We're not talking NCAA...?

Great photo of the Welcome Center in the snow, courtesy of the Valparaiso University Undergraduate Admission Facebook page.

Here's a recent (Fall timeframe?) photo from the Valparaiso University Undergraduate Admission Facebook page. You can clearly see the Chapel addition, so for those who felt it would overpower the main Chapel, you can clearly see it does not.

I hated to start this whole Loyola thread when the news broke.    Now the RPI rank is rubbing a surprise dose of salt in the wounds.

Loyola RPI rank is #60 today.    (Green Bay is #31).   

This brings up my old frustration that I noted in my first post.   When the MVC visited the VU campus, they could not have failed to note that EVERY ONE OF the numerous NEW VU BUILDINGS since 1999 was built on a scale far over-sized for its current rate of usage and our student population. 

Was an "if you build it they will come" rationale employed?    The MVC could not have missed that point.   There is some consolation, though.   We can be proud that we very well may lead the nation in building square footage, fireplaces, and couch space for capita FTE student.   What has been the enrollment consequence of a new 30,000 square foot library a gazillion square foot union, an expensive weather building, and a big stone German House built to house 12-15 students.   German and meteorology are doubtful draws of enrollment increases.     Meanwhile the union never included a single fitness element inside that massive building.  Yet, plenty of places to recline on a couch and read poetry.           

Not to change this to (yet another) facilities discussion, but how do you know that our facilities are "far over-sized" for our current student population? When those buildings were built, we were at about 3800 students.....now we are at 4500-4600 and still increasing. Our library, union, and meteorology facilities were woefully small and outdated, and as a recent grad I can say that while the new union and new library feel big, they certainly don't feel empty or under-utilized....on the contrary they felt very well-utilized. When I gave tours to families and prospective students, they were amazed at our facilities and I have no doubt that it helped convince some students to come here.

As far as the German building is concerned, I have a feeling that was built from a targeted donation (someone correct me if I'm wrong). In order for Valpo to flourish, it needs to build on niche programs to distinguish itself from peer institutions. German and meteorology are niche programs that have proven to be successful draws for students (meteorology the bigger draw of the two). Case in point: The meteorology program drew me to Valpo (even though I didn't stick with the program). If a program can draw me, a high school student from Japan with a 4.16 GPA and second in my class to Valpo, then I'm sure it's drawn others. Have the benefits outweighed the costs? I would argue yes.

Great find....thanks 78. 

Just thought I'd update those off campus that the chapel addition is now enclosed in a wall of windows and the glass facade of the south side looks pretty impressive.

Did you happen to snap any pictures? The Chapel Facebook page hasn't been very active with posting updates in a while.

There's a new Valpo Student Life Viewbook (I'm not sure of the official title of the publication), with the headline "Go You. Go Valpo." It's an extremely well-done and professional publication. Take a look at the link below if you want an update on academic programs and student life at Valpo. Updated student statistics are included in the publication.

http://issuu.com/valparaiso-university/docs/look_book_spreads_web

Per the interview with President Heckler on WVUR, the university has "taken possession" of the University Promenade development (the new condos on University street). Not sure if we bought them or lease them, but it sounds similar to what we did with Uptown East.

Can you post a link to the interview? I can't find it on their website.

Thank you for the pictures! It's a bit underwhelming but a start at least. Hopefully the parking garage renovations are not complete.

The pathway was ready for use prior to last week's GVS game. It looks great, and will look even better when lights are installed. Finally, the parking garage looks connected and has purpose. Another noticable improvement...

Thanks for the update. If anyone could snatch a picture sometime, that would be appreciated. 

Apparently there were 1171 fans in attendance at the game. Sounds like an impressive crowd! 

I'm thinking a nice fountain would work well on that land.

I heard about that reference but haven't seen the movie itself. I agree though.....any publicity is good publicity.

Thanks for the update 'pal.

Here is a recent photo from the Valparaiso University Flickr page. It really gives you an idea of the scope of the project:

Bit of a sloppy finish, but a tie is a tie! 

The Valparaiso University Alumni Facebook page put up some recent photos of the construction. It's really coming along!