Baxter renovations aim to improve student living experience

Over the summer, Briar Cliff made some changes to the Baxter DiGiovanni Center that many students may have already noticed. The building got a fresh look with carpet and closet removal, giving the space a more modern, open feel.

Head of Security Dave Arens, who oversaw the project, said the idea to remodel Baxter wasn’t new. “I talked about it for years, four to five years after we first removed the carpet from the hallways,” said Arens. “The staff remodeled one suite last year, and made it clear that the rest of the suites needed the same treatment.”

The renovations were planned for the summer to give students time to move out and allow contractors to work without interruptions. “The decision was made later than I wanted. We lined up contractors in June, and with the help of subcontractors, we got it done on time,” said Arens.

One of the biggest changes students will notice is the removal of the old closets, which were original to the building in 1989. By taking them out, the rooms now have more space and are easier to clean. The upgrades are mainly cosmetic but should make the building more functional for students. “It gives the building a cleaner feeling and opens up more living space,” Arens said.

Students living in the building have already begun to notice the improvements as well. “I think taking out the old carpet was a big step,” said sophomore resident Brooks Moore. “It will make the rooms feel cleaner and easier to take care of, which honestly makes a difference when you’re living here day to day.”

Along with the new flooring, living room cabinets were removed to give students more convenience. “With more space in the room without built-in structures, it allows my roommates and I to get more creative with how we would like to set up the room and feel more at home, " said Moore.

With school just getting underway, Arens said he hasn’t heard much official feedback on the renovations yet. However, he hopes students will appreciate the updates and that improvements can continue to be made in the future.

“This was the first renovation since the building was put up. We’re always looking for opportunities to make things better,” Arens said.

The changes are part of Briar Cliff’s ongoing effort to improve the student living experience. While the updates may seem small, students say they’ve already had a noticeable impact.

“It shows they’re listening to us, little things like this really improve student life here on campus,” said Moore.