It’s a relaxing Monday evening on campus. The cicadas are at it again, the trash from Saturday parties is still everywhere, passing police sirens blare for the seventh time tonight, and collective anxiety amidst the dread of an early exam.

Amelia Gallaher, freshman in ACES, is new to the University and resides in the newly renovated ISR. With it being her first campus experience of dorm life, she had a positive attitude to share about life there.

“I really like living here,” Gallaher said. “Everything is conveniently located in one building. If I need to get my mail I go to the front desk, if I am hungry I can go to the dining hall or Terabyte. There are many cosy lounges to study in. We also have a small gym, meditation rooms and instrument practice rooms.”

The 316,300 square foot renovation increased the building’s dining capacity, improved building efficiency and energy sustainability, as well as acting as a colorful, modern residence space for new students and guests checking out the campus grounds. Past its reception is a grandiose, mall-like recreation and dining area. A bridge stretches across a colorful study area and library, with dining students able to pick from various food stalls and counters.

For many other students, seniors and juniors who are in the natural state of endless panic, dread and existential fear of failure, these lengthy renovations had lots of expectations behind them, some hoping the extensive work was worth the wait.

Ian Katsnelson, senior in LAS, was one of those older students who had anticipated the new designs of the ISR. He browsed the newly renovated library on the lower floor for a new game to play with friends, and shared his opinion on the state of the new look.

“It is absolutely gorgeous,” Katsnelson said. “Not only did it meet my expectations of a new facility, but it exceeded it with the new study spaces, its resources for students, and its extremely impressive dining hall, which is, in my opinion, some of the best food on campus.”

Katsnelson described his favorite feature being the convenience of the student library, where he can rent out several board games for the weekend to play with his friends for free, as well as pick up some video games he hasn’t yet gotten to try out like “Detroit: Become Human” on PS4.

The atmosphere on the lower floors was reminiscent of a gentrified Google office space, with a pinch more of minimalist gentrification. A tea shop on the corner had its chilled inhabitants studying away, and behind such was a colorful and compact convenience store.

Alex Faught, senior in Engineering, lived in Daniels Hall across the street but frequents the new building for its amenities. He shared his feelings about the new renovations after watching the construction unfold across from him for years. Faught was chilling in the saucer section with his other groceries.

“It’s nicer than Ikenberry,” Faught said. “That’s good I guess. I like the spot they got with the salads up top. It’s hard to mess that up. It’s good when it’s at the cafeteria, the food’s not always the best, but some things are pretty good.”

Faught went on with similar admiration for the physical building renovations, enjoying the newer look of things. He is just one of several older students who’ve waited long for the new look, and like many more are happy with the state of things at ISR, hopeful for the new in-person year to be a pleasant one.

[email protected]