On Thursday, Sep. 12, Lawrence University held a public ribbon-cutting ceremony for the unveiling of the Fox Commons. Community Advisors (CAs) were invited to tour the new off-campus housing. In the Fox Commons, there are 23 apartments currently housing 86 students.
“I was surprised by the difference in the rooms compared to the Lawrence dorms: walking in and witnessing everything was unreal,” sophomore CA Isaac Arriola said. “It feels like an actual apartment.”
At the opening ceremony, President Laurie Carter gave a speech dedicated to the excitement of the Lawrence campus expansion.
Lawrence hired move-in crews and even had people offering rides to those who needed to move items from their past living spaces or summer housing. Additionally, anyone who was present for the Leadership Summit, a weeklong series of events dedicated to mandatory training for students who hold a position on the board in their respective Greek life or club, Community Advisors and orientation leaders received an email by the Director of Office of Student Engagement, Activities and Leadership (SEAL) Dakota McKee urging them to sign up for upper-year move-in support.
“Receiving that email was very exciting,” Arriola continued. “Getting to tour Fox Commons is one thing, but seeing it all come into place by helping people move in and set up their stuff was so cool to see.”
Similar to gaining access to the houses and lofts on campus, a student ID must be registered under Fox Commons housing to be allowed entry.
While the living spaces are completed, the third floor and parking lot at the back of Fox Commons are still facing con- struction. However, Fox Commons is a new opportunity for students to live off the main campus.
“They’re adding things, but students just kind of let them do their own things,” senior Esme Watkins stated regarding the construction as a resident in Fox Commons. “And the staff are respectful. I don’t hear them drilling things in the morning. And, considering how soundproofed the rooms are, I’m impressed that I haven’t heard too many noises.”
Lawrence requires all students to live in Lawrence housing for the years they attend. However, Fox Commons is a new opportunity for students to live off the main campus as well as gather experience in their respective major. The space offers internship opportunities for business and entrepreneurship as well as pre-health students.
“It’s a good option for up- per years who want […] the experience of living off campus,” Watkins claims. “And we’re also starting to get business opportunities, like we have a whole seminar room for business classes. Like Mosaic Health people coming in soon, a Psychology Center for our psychology majors; it’s a great opportunity for students to get shadowing internships just off campus, which is awesome.”