Second Stage of Renovation Begins for Wilder Hall
Wilder Hall Renovation: A Multi-Year Transformation of Oberlin's Student Union
After a brief hiatus, construction on Wilder Hall, Oberlin College's student union, resumed in July 2021 and is set to continue through summer 2026. The comprehensive, multiyear renovation focuses on enhancing safety, accessibility, student experience, utility infrastructure, and structural repairs, particularly on the west side of the building.
Designed by Chicago architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee and opened in 1911 as a men's residence, Wilder Hall has evolved over time into Oberlin's student union. During the renovation period, the building will remain in use, except for all but the west end of the third floor, which will be closed throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
The first phase of the renovation was completed in spring 2024, and the second phase will focus on upgrades to the third floor of Wilder Hall. The previously renovated meeting spaces on the west end of the third floor will remain in use this year. Concert Sound, a fixture in Wilder Hall, will temporarily relocate to Room 212 during the renovation.
Several offices have been relocated for the coming year due to construction. The Student Leadership and Involvement, along with the Student Finance Committee, have been temporarily relocated to Daub House, located next door to Wilder Hall. The Office of Student Support and Outreach will be found in Room 208 during the renovation period. The ExCo Committee, meanwhile, has been temporarily relocated to Kade House.
The renovation also promises exciting new additions. A state-of-the-art esports arena will be created, capable of hosting group gaming events and one-on-one play. New, reservable spaces for student organizations will be created, and offices for the Sexual Information Center, Craft Room, Film Co-op, and ExCo will receive upgrades.
Moreover, the office of Student Leadership and Involvement will receive new offices and furniture, including a 16-person conference room equipped with enhanced technology. The Student Senate and the Student Finance Committee will also receive new offices. Construction at Wilder Hall will continue with the renovation of the lower level, the first floor, and the second floor in the years ahead.
For precise details on Wilder Hall’s renovation scope and timeline, it is best to consult official Oberlin College communications, such as press releases, campus planning documents, or facility management updates. The renovation of Wilder Hall is a significant step in modernising Oberlin's student union, aiming to provide a safer, more accessible, and technologically advanced space for students to gather, collaborate, and engage in various activities.
Read also:
- Strategies for Mitigating Negative Feelings in Customer Interaction with Your Goods or Services
- Is it necessary for concerts to be so excessively loud that ear protection is essential?
- Director Celine Song defends her film 'Materialists' against accusations of elitism and classism.
- Pregnancy, according to the Bible, is defined as a state in which a woman carries a developing child in her womb.
