TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Rose-Hulman did something Thursday that they haven’t done it over 60 years.

This groundbreaking has been years in the making. This is because of the steady growth that Rose-Hulman has had over the past few years.

This was a big deal to the officials at Rose-Hulman because of how much pride they have in their freshman year experience. Robert Coons is the president of Rose-Hulman, and he goes over the details on what they try to provide to these new students.

“We work really hard to try and create a first-year experience for our students. It causes them to not only to bond with curriculum but with all of their colleagues on campus as well. Our current challenge is more upperclassmen would like to live on campus, but we don’t have the space,” said Coons.

The input of the students in this project was one of their top priorities. Officials thought this was the most efficient ways to get to know what changes they needed to make from their other buildings.

Erik Hayes is the vice president of student affairs and dean of students at Rose-Hulman, and he breaks down the process that went into the details of the building.

“We have continued to grow our enrollment to a point to where we don’t have enough space for our freshman students. The decision was made here to expand that. A lot of input from current freshmen and students that have lived on our campus and had that freshman experience and what goes into this building. The designs where created based on that feedback,” said Hayes.

Collaboration amongst students is one of the things that Rose-Hulman tries in integrate into almost everything they do. Hayes says that is what is going to make this hall special.

“Inside the building, the space for the community on each floor is built with a very collaborative mindset. The student when they aren’t in their rooms, will be hanging out in an area where they are all doing the same classes together. That’s what I think is such a special thing about this hall,” added Hayes.

Rose-Hulman plans to have this hall open and in use by the fall semester in 2025.