Expected to open in August, Wittenberg’s new residence hall has become a popular site along Alumni Way as each day brings additional architectural and functional enhancements. The $10 million, nearly 50,000-square-foot facility will also serve as model for college residential housing in that it will be reserved exclusively for new students.

Research conducted by the Office of Student Development indicates that new students adjust better to college life when housed with fellow new students. Wittenberg’s own first-year experience committee came to a similar conclusion.

“We have found that students acclimate to college life faster, make friends easier and therefore tend to return the following year because of this type of residential housing,” said Carolyn Perkins, associate vice president for student development and dean of students. “Overall retention rates have also shown dramatic increases at the colleges and universities that provide designated living environments for first-year students.”