New, LEED-Certified Residence Hall

EMU is replacing Oakwood residence hall, a 109-room dormitory in service since 1969, with a new $6 million "green" residence hall on the same site. EMU plans to seek LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the project.

Alumni bid farewell to Oakwood during an informal gathering in September 2008. A blog for sharing memories is still available, and alumni can keep a piece of Oakwood alive by reserving a brick , while supplies last, for themselves or a friend.

View the Oakwood demolition webcam
or a time-lapse video of demolition.

reserve a brick

Good Stewardship

Ultimately, very little waste from the original building, demolished in September 2008, went to the landfill.

• All materials in the original building were carefully assessed for re-usability.
• Debris from the demolition was ground into fill for the new construction.
• Old furniture from the building was sold or donated to Gift and Thrift for auction later this fall to benefit Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).
• Interior doors, mirrors, towel racks and other miscellaneous items were shipped to Ethiopia for use at the Meserete Kristos College near Addis Ababa.

Features of the New Dorm

• 35,000 square feet and 120 beds
• High-efficiency heating and cooling systems
• Low-water-usage appliances
• Local and recycled building materials
• Bicycle storage
• Significant daylighting

Support EMU's commitment to promote sustainable living on campus by donating and designating your gifts for "building green."