Megan Trotter | news editor

Duquesne’s Division of Student Life announced on Monday that Vickroy Hall will undergo building-wide renovations during the 2025-2026 academic year.

The 27-year-old residence building will be unusable for a year during the construction.

Project Manager Christopher Collins said the new building will feature a more contemporary environment.

“The corridors, lobby, lounges and student rooms will all receive attention. Students can expect to see a more modern-looking building with improved lighting in both rooms and common areas, new flooring, new paint, and other improved finishes for an overall brighter, cleaner look,” Collins said to The Duke.

The complete building renovation is part of a series of residential renovations Duquesne has made to Brottier Hall, St. Martin Hall and the grand opening of the new McGinley Hall, which includes 1, 2 and 4-bedroom units, at the start of the fall semester.

In an email sent to the student body on Monday, Leanna Fenneberg, senior vice president for student life, said that Duquesne has been requesting feedback from current Vickroy residents on what should be improved in the new building.

“We have surveyed students about the project, and we’re also meeting with them in focus groups, giving them the opportunity to share insights into how living spaces can better foster comfort, community and academic success,” said Assistant Vice President for Residence Life Anne Lahoda.

Sophomore Hetanshi Shah said she received an email to go see different options of what the new building could look like.

She hopes that the new building will give students more control over heating and cooling ventilation by allowing students to select which function they would like to turn on in their individual rooms. Shah also said that she’s looking for larger and more functional bathrooms in the renovated Vickroy.

“I just feel like the shower could be made a little bit bigger … maybe make it a double sink instead of a single sink,” Shah said.

Collins said that he will be working closely with the architect and engineers to design the new building’s spaces based on student feedback. The aesthetic and functional elements of Vickroy are still being considered.

According to Collins, the final budget for the project will be established once plans are finalized to ensure Vickroy Hall meets the needs and expectations of incoming students.

For the fourth-consecutive year, Duquesne received a record number of applications. According to Duquesne’s website, more than 13,300 first-year students applied to Duquesne’s undergraduate programs this year.

In August, Duquesne University President Ken Gormley said that the class of 2028 “is one of the largest 10 classes in the history of Duquesne – about 1,500 freshmen, 200 transfer students,” according to WTAE.

This semester, there are currently 283 students living in Vickroy Hall’s eight floors.

“[My] only concern is where they’re going to put all these people who would live in Vickroy next year,” Shah said.

Shah and her roommate are planning on living in Brottier next year.

“I’m personally worried that more people are gonna be gunning for those since Vickroy is going to be closed,” Shah said.

Fenneberg said that Duquesne will be placing students in McGinley Hall, including three floors which are still in the process of being completed.

“We have the opportunity to proceed with this major Vickroy renovation, knowing we have the spaces required to accommodate our new and returning students in other campus locations,” Fenneberg said to The Duke.

“Students are reminded to participate in the annual Lumina Lottery in February 2025 for McGinley Hall and Brottier Hall, and the Residence Life Lottery in March 2025 for Towers, Des Places Hall and St. Martin Hall,” Lahoda said.

While Vickroy Hall is out of commission, there will be four fewer Resident Assistant positions available. Since many students will be moving to McGinley Hall for the time being, there will be three additional Resident Assistants hired to help with the influx of students, according to Lahoda.

“The university is invested in the student residential experience and providing a vibrant campus experience, and listening to students is a key step to building living environments in which they can thrive,” Lahoda said.