With the housing selection process right around the corner, many Oles are looking for their dorm for next year. Two options that students can now consider are Hilleboe and Kittlesby Halls.
During the 2024-2025 school year, St. Olaf’s Hilleboe and Kittlesby halls have been undergoing renovation and have not been available for students to live in. The 2025-2026 school year will bring these dorms back with new renovations, which will help improve student life experience and help to strengthen the community.
“It is a full renovation which will include a transition to cool air, quiet hot water, heat, new windows throughout, a great room with an open concept kitchen, and the second — entry level — floor being ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] accessible,” said Christopher L Medley, the Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life in an interview with The Olaf Messenger. “With the addition of lounges in Kittlesby, relocation of the staff office, and integrated kitchen and lounge in Hilleboe, the ability to be in community will be strengthened.”
Another change is which class years will be eligible to live in these halls. While Kittlesby had formerly been a freshman dorm and Hilleboe an upperclassmen dorm, the entirety of Hill-Kitt will now only be available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Hilleboe rooms will be doubles with a few singles, and Kittlesby will be mostly triples with a couple of singles.
Medley detailed more exciting upgrades.
“This project continues to proceed on schedule and on budget. When completed, the renovated hall will have updated finishes, remodeled restrooms, new interior and exterior windows and doors, and a new HVAC system, and each room will have cool dry air, LED lighting, updated WiFi, controllable hot water heat, and an operable window,” he said.
As of January 1, the renovation was about 65% finished, with plans for substantial completion by early July, just in time for student move-in for the Fall 2025 semester. While students will not be able to see or tour the dorm before housing registration this year, there will be updated floor plans for viewing.
