Campus Connection

First UW-L residence hall to open since 2006 UW-La Crosse’s Eagle Hall opened to students in August, but the grand opening of the campus’ newest residence hall is Friday, Oct. 14. A ribbon cutting and brief ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the hall’s main lobby. Hall tours and refreshments will follow. The events are free and open to all. Eagle Hall was built after students requested more on-campus living options following a housing crunch partially due to two residence halls being demolished for the university’s new academic building. The 500-bed hall offers an alternative living arrangement for occupants: sleeping rooms surrounding a gathering area and breakfast nook with a sink and microwave. Construction of the $39 million project began in February 2010. No state funds were used to pay for the construction; the building and its operation are entirely funded by fees students pay to live in residence halls. The building is expected to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver rating. Some of its green features are: use of natural lighting, white rooftops to reduce the “heat island” effect, rain gardens, energy-recovery HVAC, low irrigation vegetation and bicycle parking. Eagle Hall Fast Facts— Total project: $39 million (No state funds; entirely funded by fees students pay to live in residence halls) Construction began: February, 2010 Groundbreaking held: April 23, 2010 Dedication planned: Oct. 15, 2011 Occupancy: 500 beds 212,000 square feet (largest campus building) Find downloadable images of Eagle Hall at: https://picasaweb.google.com/108331852148806831673/EagleHallResidenceHallUniversityOfWisconsinLaCrosse