To mix things up and have a little fun, Rowan University students buried a time capsule on Wednesday as university officials also gave an update on its latest student-housing project.
GLASSBORO -- To mix things up and have a little fun, Rowan University students buried a time capsule on Wednesday as university officials also gave an update on its latest student-housing project.
Yes, it's yet another building that the university is touting, but this most recent complex named the Holly Pointe Commons deserves some attention. And here's why:
Design plan of Rowan University's new Holly Pointe Commons $145-million, 1,400-student housing complex near the corner of Mullica Hill Road and North Main Street, in Glassboro. The building sports an incredibly funky, design with gradual curve that, from overhead, looks like a giant "J." Philadelphia-based Erdy McHenry Architecture designed the building. (Submitted Photo) 1. A really awesome design
The $145-million, 1,400-student housing complex near the corner of Mullica Hill Road and North Main Street, sports an incredibly funky, unconventional design that is something out of Dubai. It presents a gradual curve that, from overhead, looks like a giant "J."
Rowan President Dr. Ali Houshmand joked that the plan was to make it look like a candy cane with some red and white paint on the roof.
Richard Jones, Rowan vice president for student life and dean of students, said in a statement: "The design of the complex is dynamic, it's thoughtful, it's creative, and it represents the future of Rowan University."
2. Curve for a commune
The choice to use the serpentine-shaped design was to create a "formal campus oval" with central gathering spaces to bring students together, the university said.
Jones said in his statement that this will provide "a real sense of community."
3. Accessibility
Students living at the Holly Pointe Commons will have only about a five-to-10-minute walk to any classroom on campus, according to Rowan spokesman Joe Cardona.
Construction began just this spring, but the facility is already expected to be completed August next year.
4. Beautiful view
The complex overlooks Storm Runoff Pond and is surrounded by plenty of greenery.
Rowan senior, Ian Buchanan, 21, and 19-year-old sophomore Jasmine Burgos, are both resident advisors at Rowan's Magnolia Hall, which they said is in a pretty beat up state.
At the event Wednesday, they both were amazed by how luxurious the complex looked in the design plans.
Burgos said college is all about transition, and she said it's nice "just knowing the campus is transitioning right alongside the students."
5. Another piece to the downtown puzzle
The recent unveiling of 220 Rowan Boulevard and several other facilities is a clear indication of Rowan and Glassboro's joint commitment to rebuilding Rowan Boulevard into a new downtown area.
Holly Pointe Commons is the most recent piece to that puzzle. It's a stone's throw from Rowan Boulevard and all the retail and restaurants it has to offer.
6. A grand dining hall
The building will include a two-story, 550-seat, 20,000-square-foot dining hall -- wow!
Lastly, as a fun addition to Wednesday's presentation, here's a list of some of the items that students placed in the time capsule, which will be sealed until 2065.
- Hostess Twinkies (due to their extraordinary shelf life, students placed twinkles in the time capsule as an experiment to test the golden sponge cake's actual longevity)
- Selfie stick
- Nearly 100 "personal letters of hope for students in 2065, written by today's Rowan students."
- Vinyl figure of The Walking Dead
- A copy of "The Martian" by Andy Weir
- Commemorative copy of USA Today detailing Pope Francis' visit
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.