Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette From left, Matthew Johnson, Carlos Rodriguez, Jon Jipping, Monique Wells, Rick Koubek, Blizzard T. Husky, Sydney Wieseler, Laura Bulleit, Shannon Wayne, Steven Tomaszewski and Nicholas Stevens perform the ribbon cutting in the ceremonial opening of East Hall at Michigan Tech. The newest housing edition to the university allows living space for around 500 students.

HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech held a ceremonial opening of East Hall with a ribbon cutting Friday. The new hall allows 500 upper class students a place to live. The building features collaborative study rooms, fitness spaces, a game room, lounge areas and kitchenettes. The spaces were the result of input from students sharing what they wanted to see in their living space according to Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bulleit.

“The individual rooms themselves are set up to meet more of the needs of our students today,” Bulleit said. “It’s not just a traditional dormitory hall where students come and spend the night and sleep. They’re living here, and so we need to recognize their living space and what goes into that.”

The ribbon cutting was preceded by speeches by University President Richard Koubek, Board of Trustees Chair Jon Jipping, Vice President for Administration Carlos Rodriguez, Bulleit and Fourth-year mathematics major and East Hall Senior Resident Assistant Sydney Wieseler. Each speaker shared what the building offers students and how it will assist them in their academic journeys.

“The opening of East Hall is an exciting moment for us on the trajectory of Michigan Tech,” Koubek said. “It’s a testament to our growing enrollment the university has experienced over the past several years.”

Jipping spoke on the potential that students calling East Hall their now home will have. “The students who are relaxing in the game room tonight may well be launching rockets to Mars in 10 years, or students cooking together in the shared kitchenette this weekend may collaborate in groundbreaking research that aids in curing chronic health issues,” Jipping said. “Today is a celebration of what we can accomplish together, but it’s also a reminder that work continues.”

Jipping also mentioned the building will serve as a new gateway to campus, reflecting innovation, ambition and the tenacity that defines students and faculty as Huskies.

Rodriguez went over what the new building represents for the University, some of the construction timeline and how it exemplifies Michigan craftsmanship and efficiency, a sought after room type featured in the building and the building’s self check out convenience store, Copper Corner Market. “East Hall represents something much deeper,” Rodriguez said. “It symbolizes Michigan Tech’s commitment to growth, innovation and the success of our students. Every decision that went into the building, from the way it was financed and designed to how it operates. It reflects a university that is forward looking, collaborative and deeply committed to providing an exceptional student experience.” Rodriguez thanked everyone involved in the project. “You did not only build a residence hall, you built a home, a place where students will form friendships, pursue their passion and make lifelong memories.”

Bulleit went over how students’ needs and feedback helped contribute to East Hall’s design and construction, and demonstrated dedication to listening to students. When the residents of East Hall requested a stair stepper be included to East Hall’s fitness room, the university complied. Bulleit also shared how it was observed East Hall residents were walking to McNair Hall to access the eatery, which had them crossing the guardrail to the highway. After listening to feedback, the university is going to install stairs which will offer access and a safe crosswalk to the other side of the highway.

“We know that student success isn’t limited to the success that our students find in the classroom,” she said. “We strive to make sure that our students also find success professionally and in their personal lives. East Halls amenities and configuration offer our upper class students the opportunity to develop the skills, the habits, and most importantly, the resilience needed to eventually live away from the structure of home and our campus.”

Wieseler shared some of the building features which will help serve her and fellow students. “Our new East Hall mainly offers double suites and single suite options, but also offers 80 accessible rooms and much others,” Wiesler said. “The corner study rooms, lounge spaces and the Copper Corner Market are spaces that are well loved by students today. The study rooms are perfect for group projects, studying and collaborative work. These spaces come equipped with a whiteboard TV, and are filled with natural light during the day.”

After the ribbon cutting, attendees could explore the building and its courtyards and enjoy a complimentary lunch. Games were present for students and attendees to bond over as they discussed the new building. During this time both Wiesler and Bulleit shared more thoughts and information about East Hall.

Wieseler explained more natural beauty can be observed from the building due to its height, saying students can see the Northern Lights over the tree line and onto Portage Canal. She also shared East Hall residents are already in search of an identity regarding their residency.

“We’re definitely in the early stages, but we are working on forming a larger community. Last night, we took the fourth floor residents to some other events across campus, so that was a lot of fun. And we’re trying to build a little bit of a cohesive environment across the building with that more individualized living environment for students,” Wieseler said.

Bulleit said the study areas are appealing to students due to items such as tables and chairs not being fixated and are movable for convenience. She also commented on the building being ideal for those above freshman status since it promotes more independent living and serves as a transitory period of campus life. There is no dining hall and students can make and prepare their own meals. Bulleit also gave a timeline for the stairs to provide better access to McNair Hall, which begins this week. A crosswalk was already painted to guide students and signal to drivers where the path would lie.