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Community invited for New Residence Hall grand opening Wednesday

November 12, 2012

Students outside the new residence hallNorthern Illinois University’s new residential complex will open its doors to the community from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 14, just before the NIU Huskies take on Toledo to decide who will go to the MAC Championship game.

Alumni and surrounding community members are welcome to come see the New Residence Hall and tour the complex. NIU Housing and Dining will serve hot apple cider, coffee and snack foods in the community center.

“Alumni and community members will be able to see the new community center as well as tour the pods where the rooms are located,” said Connie Storey, complex coordinator of New Residence Hall. “Community advisers and student volunteers will be giving the tours of the hall and sharing their input.”

Each of the first 500 alumni and community members who come will receive a free ticket to the “Blackout” game and a $5 food voucher that can be used at a Huskie Stadium concession stand.

Students play volleyball on the sand court outside the New Residence Hall.

Students play volleyball on the sand court outside the New Residence Hall.

NIU officials are proud of the building’s “beautiful, innovative spaces” offer wireless technology throughout, an amazing food court and a “workout room that rivals any health club.”

The residential buildings will be identical structures featuring “cluster-style” living arrangements that house 12 students together.

Privacy is enhanced via 12 single bedrooms, six shared bathrooms with micro-refrigerators and a common space that includes a furnished study area, living area and kitchenette as well as a washer and dryer all within the cluster.

The community center will feature an “all-you-care-to-eat” style of dining facility, offering a variety of food options, social lounge with a gaming area where students can socialize with fellow residents or community visitors, a fitness center equipped with modern workout equipment and meeting spaces.

Outdoor amenities include a sand volleyball court, basketball half-court and bean bag courts grouped together with picnic tables. Students also will enjoy patios, benches, green spaces and 190 spaces for bicycle parking adjacent to each of the residential buildings.

For more information, call (815) 753-7482 or email lmyers@niu.edu.

by Brandon Grosz