By Emily Cousins | Staff Writer
Beginning in May 2022, Collins Residence Hall will be renovated as part of the master plan for campus renovations. The $38.5 million project will be completed in July 2023.
Collins has been dubbed “Crusty Collins” by Baylor students, and renovations have been encouraged by former residents.
Every year since 1957, 600 freshman women have lived in Collins. The renovations were originally going to be completed in 2018, but construction took a two-year pause, and renovations were postponed to begin in 2019. COVID-19 further delayed the renovations.
“This year’s budget reflects the start of a comprehensive resource planning process that will guide us over the next five years and support the university’s aspirations under Illuminate,” Chief Business Officer Brett Dalton said in a news release. “Now we are able to take advantage of favorable market conditions that will allow us to … address much-needed renovations in key residence halls.”
Baylor spokesperson Lori Fogleman said Collins will have updated amenities, facilities and security. She also said that the fire protection, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, information technology systems and elevators will be updated and that the building will have modifications for accessibility purposes.
Memphis, Tenn., sophomore Bella Snow, who lived in Collins during the 2020-2021 school year, said she is thankful the elevators are being fixed because she remembers people would often get stuck on them.
“I cannot count how many times I saw people get stuck on the elevators,” Snow said. “The first day of school, I saw two security or police officers coming up to the fifth floor and having to pry the door off to get these girls out.”
Snow said she hopes the community bathrooms are spruced up.
“I have been in the other community bathrooms in other dorms, and ours are definitely the worst,” Snow said.
Snow also said even though Collins wasn’t the most updated building, she loved the community and friends she made there.
