The renovation plans for 30 College St. were finalized last week after members of student groups chose a design from three proposed blueprints.
With the renovations, Bowdoin may be able to attract a new type of student: one who keeps kosher or halal. A kosher/halal kitchen is part of the proposed plan for the transformation of 30 College St. into a center for cultural and religious groups on campus.
Currently, Dining Service cannot provide for students who adhere to strict kosher or halal diets, but with the construction of a new kosher/halal kitchen in 30 College St., following the dietary restrictions will be possible.
Jordan Krechmer '07, treasurer for Bowdoin Hillel, said that currently no one comes to Bowdoin with the intent of eating kosher, but the new kitchen could change that. He said that the new kitchen would help Hillel meet its goal of serving kosher food at many of its events, as suggested by the national Hillel organization.
Also included in the renovation plan is a large gathering area in what is currently the garage. Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs Margaret Hazlett said that the room could be used as a dinner space at night and for yoga or other activities during the day.
The renovation will also feature offices for the student cultural and religious groups, as well as two bedrooms for selected members of the groups. Hazlett said that she anticipated that 30 College St. would be run similarly to the Russwurm African American Center, with residents acting as house managers.
Carolyn Chu '07, Bowdoin Student Government vice president of student affairs, attended the Friday meeting and said that she was pleased that students made the final decision.
Krechmer also said that he was "happy with the way things turned out," and that the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs had done a good job of listening to students since the move from Boody-Johnson House to 30 College St. was proposed.
Despite the attention the move from Boody-Johnson to 30 College St. has generated, only five students attended the Friday meeting. Chu said that the fact that few of the involved student groups were represented at the meeting was "a little troubling."
"I wish there had been more students there," she said.
Hazlett said she would schedule meetings with the absent student representatives to get their opinions on the design before going ahead with the renovation.
Chu expressed concerns about the loss of 30 College St. as a student residence.
"It's really great we're getting the cultural center, but there's no substitute for the space that's being lost," she said. "I think we're losing the small housing option on campus."
Yoni Shemesh '09 said that the addition of a multicultural center outweighed the loss of a small house.
"There are a lot of residences but only one multicultural center," he said. "What the house is becoming will benefit more students than the nine that live there now."
Hazlett said that the College has no plans to replace 30 College St. with another small house, and that with the new dorm renovations there would be enough beds to absorb the loss of the house as a residence.