The dorm building has many features including its own cafeteria, non-gender specific bathrooms, and rooms for more than 1,400 students.
GLASSBORO -- For the first time at Rowan University, students are able to choose housing, roommates and bathrooms without gender in mind thanks to the newest dorm on campus, Holly Points Commons.
Holly Pointe Commons, the new $140 million building on Rowan's campus, became home to more than 1,400 students for the 2016-2017 school year. This new addition to Rowan's campus was completed in just over a year through the efforts of Rowan's first public-private partnership with a private developer.
"We've built something very, very special here," said President Ali Houshmand. "Our students get to live in the finest residence hall we can provide."
The complex features rooms for more than 1,400 students, organized into pods with bedrooms, lounges and study spaces. But it also features a new style of housing and has become Rowan's first all gender-inclusive building.
The 649 freshmen and 755 sophomore and transfer students that call Holly Pointe Commons home were given the opportunity to choose roommates without gender restrictions, or they could stick with the basic same-sex assignment restrictions. Holly Pointe also features bathrooms and showers that are gender-inclusive, but there are options for men's and women's rooms as well.
In addition, the swanky new residence hall will be serviced by housekeeping in public areas to assure they are clean for all students.
The serpentine-shaped Holly Pointe Commons also features its own cafeteria to help keep the influx of students down at the main cafeteria on campus. Although there are plenty of places to eat inside, there is also outdoor seating for students to enjoy. Students are also given the option to eat at main cafeteria on campus, which is only about a 10 minute walk.
"Our students love that Holly Pointe Commons is a gateway to campus," said Richard Jones, Vice President of Student Life. "The complex has a progressive, forward thinking design that speaks to who we are as a university."
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday morning for students, staff, and administration to tour the new building and see the changes Rowan's been making.
Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.