KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Western Michigan University’s newest residence hall, Valley Oaks, was officially unveiled to the public during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.
“We really tried to think of everything to meet students where they are, foster belonging and help them thrive here at Western, and the result is even better than I could have imagined,” says Dr. Diane Anderson, vice president for student affairs. “I can’t wait for our students and families to see it.”
Incoming students and WMU officials cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of Valley Oaks.
At 274,000 square feet, four-story Valley Oaks is the largest mass timber project in the state of Michigan. University officials say the facility incorporates elevated aesthetics and biophilic design to integrate the natural wooded landscape of the surrounding Goldsworth Valley with students’ living spaces inside the building.
“This project is an entirely different approach to a residence hall at Western; it’s really a game changer for us,” says Dr. Barry Olson, associate vice president for student affairs. “When you walk in, the first thing you notice is the smell of wood. You see all these beautiful columns and exposed timber and large windows that let in natural light; it just feels very much like you’re bringing the outside in. There’s a really grounding and calming presence.”
Students size up the new living spaces.
Valley Oaks is located on the former site of Harrison/Stinson and Eldridge/Fox halls, known as Valley III, behind the Valley Dining Center. It is the latest development in the University’s ongoing efforts to elevate the campus experience and modernize housing to meet the needs of a new generation of students.
The hall will be home to approximately 1,000 first-year students, offering pod-style housing that includes single, expanded single and double room options and single-occupancy bathrooms. Outside of residential wings, the facility offers a multitude of opportunities for students to live, learn, relax and play.
Key features of the new residence hall include:
Kitchenettes on each floor and a larger community kitchen on the main floor to accommodate group gatherings and programming.
Laundry rooms with multiple machines available on each floor.
In-room air conditioning units that give students control of the climate in their living environment.
A collaboration hub where students can gather for group study, class projects or programming.
A well-being studio with a massage chair and other wellness-focused amenities for students to enjoy.
A second-floor outdoor deck where students can retreat and relax and a fire pit out front where students can gather.
Multiple privacy booths throughout the building that give students a private space for phone calls, telehealth appointments and more.
Two distinctly designed courtyards—one quieter and serene, equipped with hammocking poles, and the other more open and vibrant with seating and a lawn for yard games.
Accessibility was also top of mind in creating this new housing experience.
The hall’s first residents will move in at the end of August.
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