Baxter Hall to close for summer renovations, housing deposit added

Baxter Building during cold spring afternoon
Photo by Colby Cox

Briar Cliff University will close Baxter Hall at the end of the semester for summer renovations, while also introducing a new $150 housing damage deposit for students living on campus.

According to Dave Arens, director of campus life and safety, the renovations are mainly focused on fixing ongoing plumbing issues in the building. Baxter will have all of its shower stalls replaced, along with new custom vanities installed in the suite bathrooms. Some of the current fixtures date back to when the building first opened, making the updates necessary.

The project is expected to run through most of the summer, with a goal of being finished by mid-July if everything stays on schedule. Arens said the university chose this timeline because it allows the building to be empty, which makes it easier for larger crews to work and speeds up the process.

While Baxter is the main focus, Alverno Hall will also see some smaller upgrades. Water and sewer lines will be worked on during the summer, which could temporarily impact hot water access for a short period.

Along with the renovations, the university is adding a one-time $150 housing damage deposit. Arens said the goal of the deposit is to help cover damages that occur in residence halls and make it easier to recover those costs.

“It’s a way to protect the university for damages that are done to residence halls,” Arens said.

The deposit will stay on a student’s account while they live on campus. If damage occurs and isn’t paid for, the cost can be taken from the deposit, and the student would need to bring it back up to $150. According to Arens, the system also encourages students to take better care of their living spaces.

Connor Brignac, a Briar Cliff student, said the renovations make sense but come with some tradeoffs.

“I think it’s good they’re finally fixing some of that stuff, especially if it’s been an issue for a while,” Brignac said. “But at the same time, it kind of depends on how smooth it actually goes and if everything is done on time.”

Brignac also said the new deposit could be frustrating for students, especially those already paying for housing.

“I get why they’re doing it, but it’s still another cost students have to think about,” he said. “If you’re already paying to live there, adding another fee just kind of stacks up.”

The university chose to make it a one-time fee rather than charging students each semester to keep the process simple and avoid repeatedly collecting payments.

Arens also mentioned that there are always some concerns with projects like this, especially when it comes to possible delays or unexpected costs once construction begins.

As for future housing updates, there is no set timeline for renovations across all dorms. Arens said the university will continue to evaluate what needs to be improved next based on building conditions, budget and available funding.

For now, the focus remains on completing the Baxter renovations before students return for the fall semester.