Salve Regina's Campus Expansion: A New Residence Hall on the Horizon
Construction Timeline
The university has made it clear that construction of the new residence hall is set to commence in spring 2025. This marks the beginning of a transformative project that will bring significant changes to the campus. By fall 2026, students will have the joy of moving into this state-of-the-art facility. The anticipation among the student community is palpable as they look forward to calling this new residence hall their home.
The location of the new residence hall on the corner of Shepard and Lawrence Avenues, near the historic William Watts Sherman House, adds to its charm and significance. It will be a central part of the campus, providing easy access to various academic and recreational facilities.
Facility Details
The new residence hall is designed to accommodate 205 undergraduate students, offering them a comfortable and modern living environment. The state-of-the-art facilities within the building will include well-appointed rooms, common areas for socializing and studying, and modern amenities to enhance the overall living experience.
President Kelli J. Armstrong expressed gratitude for the agreement with neighbors and the city, emphasizing that the new residence hall will be a wonderful addition to the campus and the local community. It will foster a sense of community among students and create lasting memories.
Settlement Agreement Highlights
As part of the settlement agreement, the university has taken several steps to ensure the well-being of the community. One of the key provisions is the addition of sidewalks to Shepard Avenue to promote pedestrian safety. This initiative shows the university's commitment to the safety and well-being of its students and the surrounding neighborhood.
Additionally, a second property on Victoria Avenue has been earmarked for potential redevelopment as a natural grass athletic field, which is expected to be used for softball. This demonstrates the university's dedication to providing a well-rounded educational experience with opportunities for physical activity.
Usage Restrictions and Future Plans
Once the Watts Dormitory is constructed, it will be used exclusively as a dormitory for Salve students during the school year. During the summer break, the building will be available for educational conferences, but it will be prohibited from being occupied by undergraduate students, high school students, or anyone under the age of 21. However, a maximum of 10 undergraduate students can live there during the summer months if they are employed by the university or have work study jobs.
The agreement also places limitations on future dormitory construction in the area. The university has agreed not to construct a dormitory or any new structure on the site that was slated for Wallace Dormitory. Furthermore, it will not construct anything on a property east of one owned by the Cervasios through Whitty's Way LLC.
Discover the Hidden Tech Potential in the Built World
Global Figures and UK's Standing
According to global figures from European venture capital firm NOA, startups in the "built world" sector are set to secure $24 billion in investment this year, with $21.1 billion already raised. In the UK, built-world companies have raised $1.2 billion so far, with London leading in deal volume. This shows that there is indeed potential for growth and innovation in this seemingly traditional industry.The Importance of the Sector
As NOA founder Gregory Dewerpe emphasizes, everyone on the planet is affected by the built-world sector in various ways. Financially, physically, psychologically, or otherwise. It's not just about buildings; it's about the energy that goes into them and how to decarbonize it. Resource efficiency is also crucial, such as dealing with the end-of-life of building assets like batteries and solar panels.Sector Overlap and Investment Trends
There is a significant crossover between startups in the built world and those in other segments like climate. Decarbonization is a major theme, with an 10% increase in investment in electrification technologies driven by smart grid technology. Robotics, too, has seen an increase in investment, with a 61% rise in industrial automation funding and an 890% jump in capital for building operations robotics.New Technological Capabilities
There are fascinating advancements in robotics and AI. Robots are becoming smarter and more user-friendly. The emergence of 5G is also creating a technology infrastructure that makes building and scaling easier. Additionally, it can make hardware development cheaper while still maintaining an asset-light business model.Must-Have Technologies for the Industry
NOA is looking for startups that offer "must-have" solutions to the industry. These are solutions that deliver a clear return on investment (ROI) for the end user, whether it's in operational efficiency, financial efficiency, or system capability improvement. If a startup can provide one of these, there will be a budget and a willingness to adopt.Real-World Examples
Marius Westhoff, co-founder of Smalt, identified a significant labor shortage in the industry. In Germany alone, there is a shortage of around 700,000 individuals to carry out installations. Smalt raised €8 million to train unskilled workers using new age tech and education models. The trainees become part of installation squads, and the operation is supported by step-by-step workflow tools. This shows how startups can address real industry pain points.Pitching to Long-Established Businesses
Successfully pitching to long-established businesses in a conservative sector requires listening to them. Understanding their pain points and how startups can work together to solve them is crucial. It involves weeks and months of discussions with potential customers to identify key problems. Once a customer is interested, there is an opportunity to build a relationship and establish an innovation journey together.