Ogg Hall, the Campus Master Plan's latest edition and the second new campus residence hall in the last 42 years, is open and ready for move-in.
The newest UW-Madison dorm, dedicated Aug. 23 by Director of University Housing Paul Evans, opened to 15 house fellows and 600 students this week.
It's an exciting time,"" Evans said of the opening.
He said the length of time it takes to approve construction, complete the planning and design of a building, and watch the it being built adds to the anticipation.
Evans said as students are moving in, he is looking forward to hearing their opinions.
The innovative design and student-oriented features have attracted many applications for residence.
""The three most popular residence halls are Smith, Ogg and Liz [Waters],"" said Keri Robbins, director of marketing services for the Division of University Housing. ""We no longer have that hall no one wants.""
Robbins said student opinions were an important element of the building's layout and everything from having laundry services on each floor to a workout facility on site was considered.
""We talked to our student advisory board about putting laundry rooms on every floor,"" Evans said. ""They said, 'No. One big laundry room's OK, but we really would like some more study space.'""
Each residential floor of the six-story building features a main social lounge overlooking Dayton Street, an adjoining kitchen and designated study room. The floors have three houses by wings, providing each wing its own house fellow.
Robbins said an ""overwhelming"" amount of students wanted more storage space in their rooms, which Ogg Hall is able to offer with built-in shelving. All rooms feature individual room controls for heat and air conditioning as well.
Ogg also houses two classrooms, a technology learning center, study room, tutoring rooms and an office of the Cross College Advising Service located on the first floor to uphold the security of its residents.
The suite-style design of Ogg Hall is similar to Newell J. Smith Hall, which opened last year, with clusters of rooms sharing a gender-specified bathroom. Eight students will share a common bathroom at Ogg, unlike Smith where the ratio is four or five students to one bathroom.
Together the 615-bed Ogg and the 425-bed Smith are to replace the outdated 13-story towers of the old Ogg Hall. The piece-by-piece demolition of the old residence hall will begin next month, according to a University Communications release.
The cost for construction of the new Ogg Hall was $27.9 million and will cost residents an extra $784 per year.
Ogg and Smith Hall mark the first of several renovations and additions planned by University Housing in the Residence Halls and Food Service Master Plan.
Evans said the next phase of the Master Plan is the Lakeshore Development. The project, set to begin in October 2008, will add 340-bed and 164-bed residence halls, a dining facility, an addition to Bradley Hall, renovated recreation space and a connection between Cole and Sullivan Halls to be completed by 2012.
""It's being considered right now as part of the state budget,"" Evans said. ""The Senate passed it - the Assembly has not - we're hoping that the Conference Committee will decide to approve it, so that it will be part of the budget bill.
