While some students worked on their tans this summer, the University overhauled some of its residence halls.

Offenhauer, McDonald Hall and the Kreischer Quadrangle were among the residence halls that received major internal and external work, said Residence Life Director Sarah Waters.

“We want to look like an appealing campus and we believe in offering top-notch residence halls for our students,” Waters said. “Plus, we want to keep our buildings long-term and upgrading them will help us do that.”

Offenhauer’s lobby underwent a complete remodel with new configuration and furniture. Residence hall room carpet was also replaced. Additionally, work will begin in September to replace the aging elevators for each tower, she said.

These elevators are more than 25 years old, however, Waters said they will be replaced for visual appearances and not due to a safety concern. The residence hall’s roof was also replaced, she said.

Students this past year may have noticed the beginning of a McDonald Hall renovation, which ended this summer.

A new entrance was built on the side parallel from the Math and Science Building along with full residence hall room renovations throughout the building. New furniture, carpet and paint were applied to each room along with updated bathrooms to sweeten the deal, Waters said.

Additionally, the Kreischer Quadrangle received a new paint job and updated furniture for its residence hall rooms. The University also installed a new fire alarm system into the facility for safety purposes, she said.

In total, the Office of Residence Life spent about $12 million in upgrades and renovations to University residence halls this past summer, Waters said.

These projects were funded partly through federal bonds and from dollars saved up by the Office of Residence Life from residence hall fees, she said.

University officials believed the money was well spent given their desire to provide a comfortable living environment for students, Waters said.

“We try to provide a home away from home for our students,” Waters said. “We want to provide the traditional college experience and that can only be done in and outside of the classroom.”

Updated facilities can have a positive effect on a students’ experience at college, she said.

Case in point: University senior, Katie Orshoski.

Orshoski said she’s fully engrossed in the University and is excited to see an updated campus.

“I’m very excited and nervous to get started,” Orshoski said. “I hope to see nicer, more spacious areas for students to use.”

Other students are also looking forward to returning to an updated campus.

“I’m looking forward to living near friends again and having fun in my [residence hall room],” junior Kelsey Smith said.

That experience is exactly what Residence Life is hoping to provide to every student.

“We want our students to feel safe and comfortable here and our residence halls help with that,” Waters said.