academic article

I read an article written by Michelle Steinbacher entitled "Watterson to be part of ISU's largest housing renovation. This article interested me because it talks about, not only the renovations to the dining center, but also about the renovations to the dormitories which is something my freshman class got to witness and live through first hand. Surprisingly, the renovations made to Watterson Towers was an extremely controversial topic.The renovations made to Watterson began in 2005 but were not completed until just this past semester. The renovations to the dining center were completed in 2010. In relation to my ethnography, I have been unsuccessful in finding any information of the Southside residence halls or dining center having ever been renovated. As far as the article goes, the renovation that Watterson Towers underwent was a 29 million dollar operation. That amount of money is surreal and the controversy surrounding this production stemmed from the countless amount of ways in which the money could have been used differently. The objection of this renovation was to give students a unique dorm life experience unlike the typical institutional feel they would have at other universities and even the other dormitories here at Illinois State's campus. Many faculty, board members, and even parents did not think this should be priority for that mass amount of money. All in all, the renovations were an excellent touch to our campus's tallest dorm building and an excellent addition to students' living situations. Likewise, it was these renovations that most likely account for the preferences noted in my ethnography to Wattersons' beautiful atmosphere compared to Southside's rundown feel.