Newly Renovated Buildings Greet New Students

From the renovated library to a flashy gaming center in a residential hall, a number of finished construction projects will greet new and returning students this week.

First-year students will dine in the newly renovated Marketplace on East Campus. The dining hall offers more space and many updates, said Rick Johnson, associate vice president for Student Affairs.

“Anybody who saw it before, including upper-class students, will be in awe of the difference,” he said.

The Marketplace, which was last remodeled in 1995, helps build community and identity among first-year students by giving them a place to gather and develop relationships, he said.

Temporary air conditioning units are now cooling the dining area of The Marketplace, and the permanent cooling system will be completed next month, Johnson said.

Also remodeled are the Edens Quad residence halls on West Campus. A two-story glass entry portal was added, housing a study area on the first floor and, opening next month, a computer gaming area on the second floor.

A fitness area was also added to Edens that features traditional fitness machines in one area and space for Zumba, yoga, dance and more in another, Johnson said. Both spaces can be shared for an indoor-outdoor experience, he added.

“The Edens community felt distant and disconnected from the rest of campus,” he said. “It seemed like a good idea to bring these amenities to the community to reduce that.”

Brown residence hall on East Campus also was renovated, adding new bathrooms, fixtures and other amenities.

On West Campus, the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library has been undergoing a major renovation.

The research, instruction, storage and exhibition capabilities of the Rubenstein Library have all been greatly increased. The new library also features state-of-the-art closed stacks with high-tech security and a closely monitored environment.

The library opens to the public on Monday, Aug. 24, in time for the start of fall classes. To celebrate the end of construction, the Libraries are planning an open house for the Duke and local communities from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. Visitors can tour the new spaces and exhibits, meet and mingle with library staff, and enjoy refreshments and giveaways.

Also, the Bryan Center now sports a new glass entry.

Finally, Page Auditorium on West Campus also has reopened after a lengthy renovation and will once again be hosting performances this season.

Because of renovations to Duke Chapel, convocation for first-year students will be held Wednesday in Cameron Indoor Stadium, while convocation for graduate students will be in Page.