Vista Online

Fall/Winter 2001

Tower Apartments

Life must be confusing for a bird living in a city, especially a developing city. The landscape is constantly changing, old perches are disappearing, and new cars (or as some may feel, targets) are parked next to new buildings. Until recently, a bird could find sanctuary here at Greenville College, alighting atop Hogue Hall, soaring across the blacktop driveway, basking in the sun at King House, then heading north to visit his friends at Beasley House. How disorienting it must be to find that he now flies in circles, basks at a bookstore, and as he looks down for Beasley, runs right into the newest addition to housing here at Greenville College: Tower Apartments.

The idea for a new building on campus came with the installation of our new president, V. James Mannoia. Dr. Mannoia brought with him a vision of growth and development, and Tower Apartments is one of the first steps in realizing that vision. He provided much of the impetus behind the research, development, and acceptance of the plan to build the apartments, while his staff drew and expanded on ideas from other colleges such as McKendree College in Lebanon, IL.

In November of 1999, the college finalized the building plans, and the new school year saw 60 students toting boxes and furniture up to their newly completed apartments. With the housing crunch at the beginning of each year, some wonder why Tower Apartments, housing only 60 students, was built instead of another dormitory. Put simply, the apartments were not necessarily built for expansion purposes, but rather as an alternative, or replacement for some of the upper division houses.

Colleges often buy houses to use for a variety of purposes–practice rooms, office space, storage, and student housing. Since these houses were originally designed for families, not twelve to twenty college students, eventually the houses begin to show signs of wear and tear. The apartments replace some of the worn-out houses and provide a higher standard of living for those who have worked hard and earned the privilege to be there.

In speaking with some former house dwellers who currently reside in Tower Apartments, it seems clear that both advantages and disadvantages come with apartment living. Some of the disadvantages are the lack of larger community within a house (as opposed to a much smaller community of five people per apartment), the extra cost involved, and the challenge of furnishing the apartment.

Some advantages were increased freedom, a sense of natural progression to more independent living, and a larger living space. Ironically, the biggest advantage to some, being off of the meal plan, was also the biggest disadvantage to others. On the positive side, the apartments engender independence, decision making, cooperation, pleasure, and relaxation. Students have the option of preparing meals in smaller quantities, the selection is provided by the grocery store rather than the cooks, and nutrition can be more carefully monitored.

The disadvantage of independent cooking is a sense of disconnectedness from the rest of the students, as a result of not eating at the dining commons. While students can expect most things to stay the same for apartment admittance and living conditions next year, some changes may be considered. Optional participation in the meal plan is one of the possibilities for two reasons: finance and tradition. Traditionally, mealtime is a time of community, but apartment dwellers are excluded from this experience.

The college lost money on the meal plan this year, despite the added cost of living in the apartments. Both factors are being considered in this decision, regarding Tower Apartments and future upper division housing. The changes, if any, will be revealed and implemented later in the spring as next year’s housing process begins. As it turns out, Tower Apartments may not be the only apartment-style housing seen around campus.

As years wear on and houses wear down, alternatives such as apartments or dorm-style apartments may become the standard for upper division housing for both men and women. As the college continues to develop and grow, the Greenville College community can expect to see more changes over the next few years.

So birds, fly higher or look up, for the “targets” are finding new lots to park in, buildings are disappearing and reappearing, and the campus in general is taking on a new, cosmetic shape. Don’t get discouraged, for change invites opportunity for growth, and growth for change. And please, try to leave my car alone.

Shane Cress

Last updated: July 9, 2001