Division of Student Services

Wetzel Hall closes; Corbin/Olson under renovation
Master Plan includes reorganization, closures

Renovations and reorganization of WIU residence halls are two of the primary focuses of the University Housing and Dining Services (UHDS) Master Plan. The WIU Board of Trustees approved the reorganization at its
December 2008 meeting.

As part of Phase I of the plan, Wetzel Hall closed at the end of the Spring 2009 semester. Corbin and Olson halls will undergo major rehabilitation, with construction anticipated to begin in 2010.

“In order to remain an efficient organization, while providing the best service possible to our students, we determined that closing Wetzel will allow us to begin the initial planning to renovate facilities,” explained Matt Bierman ‘97 MBA ‘03, UHDS director of residential facilities.

UHDS staff has worked over the past year to develop its master plan for current and future housing facilities.

According to Bierman, the decision to close Wetzel Hall, which had housed 443 students, fits in the plan, as well as into the University’s Master Plan.

“As a part of our Housing Master Plan we have conducted a facilities assessment to inventory our deferred maintenance for campus. Our total liability for our facilities is nearly $250 million. That amount is what it would take to make our current buildings ‘like-new’ with no changes in function,” he added.

Wetzel was built in 1970 and had most recently housed mostly freshman students. The residence hall had been an integral participant in Homecoming and other campus events over the years. This past fall, Wetzel was recognized for having the Great Lakes Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls Program of the Year for its annual “Club Wetzel,” an alternative-to-alcohol program.

Architectural firms FGM and Mackey Mitchell (Chicago and St. Louis, respectively) were selected to do the programming study prior to a major rehab to Corbin and Olson halls, built in 1965 and 1966, as well as the cafeterias connecting the two buildings. Corbin is now a suite-style building that houses two fine arts theme floors. Olson Hall houses the University Counseling Center, Academic Advising, and the Illinois Law Enforcement Executive Institute. The renovation will concentrate on bringing the mechanical aspects of the buildings up-to-date, as well as aesthetic and programming renovations.

The entire University Housing and Dining Master Plan
can be viewed at: student.services.wiu.edu/uhds/masterplan.

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