Welcome Weekend at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville introduced a new class full of school spirit. It was not all about the blue and orange this time around, but rather a new color scheme: blue and green.
This fall semester marks the grand opening of Rountree Commons, the newest addition to the residence halls. This facility is owned by the UW-Platteville Real Estate Foundation and is equipped with air conditioning, suite-style rooms, kitchenettes, a fitness center, private bathrooms, a convenience store, elevators and a modern take on interior design with a blue and green theme.
“Rountree became my number one choice after seeing the sneak peek pictures and descriptions,” said Katie Chorley, a freshman environmental engineering major. “It’s like my own little oasis on campus. I am very comfortable here.”
Rountree residents are each paying $2,400 per year to reside in the hall. This is about $1,000 more than the cost of a standard dormitory. “It is worth every extra penny,” senior history major Derek Johnson said. “All of the new amenities are in one place.”
With more features comes more responsibility. Ethan Fiene, a freshman civil engineering major, addresses the burden of living in such a new place. “The new appliances are great,” Fiene said, “but I definitely feel like I have to be more careful here than at some other hall.”
On the other hand, some students embrace this new accountability. “There are four people to every suite that have to take turns cleaning the kitchen and the bathroom,” Chorley commented. “I like the responsibility though; it makes me feel like an adult.”
With the many features at Rountree, one has to wonder if there is a downfall. Minor issues include the lack of personal vacuums, malfunctioning elevators, and the inability to adjust the temperature in individual suites.
The parking situation also proves to be problematic. The parking lot directly in front of Rountree holds only 25 spots that are reserved for staff members. “I wish they would have built more lots for students closer to Rountree,” Johnson said. “Especially for those circumstances when students have jobs to get to.”
As of now it seems the closest place for Rountree residents to park is on the hill located on Markee Avenue. Signs posted indicate that cars cannot be parked there from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Thus, students have to relocate their vehicles.
The distance to the main campus poses another problem. Rountree is a little more than one and a half miles from Greenwood Avenue, which is home to a majority of the dorm halls. “I guess the distance is not that bad,” Fiene said, “but it does make my friends second-guess about stopping by.”
Despite a few complaints, students seem to enjoy the new living quarters. Even as a senior, Derek Johnson praises the dorm life. “Everyone thinks living here would make you feel secluded,” Johnson said, “but I’d feel more secluded living in an apartment off campus. I like living here and I would never go back to a traditional hall.”
