Watterson Towers is a resident hall at Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal, Il. This structure was built in 1969, and was named after a popular professor and chair holder Arthur W. Watterson. It is currently the largest student dorm on campus, and one of the largest throughout the world. Watteron Towers is also the tallest point overall between the cities of Chicago and St. Louis.
| Watterson Towers |
|---|
| Built in 1969
Height: 28 Stories, 298.5 ft. |
Structure
editPhysical Features
editStanding 298' 6" Watterson's 28 stories are home to 2,200 ISU students each living in either side (North or South Tower) of this twin building structure. Each tower (North and South) is connected by 7 breezeways which lead to the different houses. These breezeways connect each of the two houses in opposing towers. In total there are 10 houses, each being named after the first 10 Secretaries of State.
North Tower (Bottom to top)
- Jefferson
- Randolph
- Pickering
- Marshall
- Madison
South Tower (Bottom to top)
- Smith
- Monroe
- Adams
- Clay
- Van Buren
Rooms in Each House
editOnce you take the elevator, which stops every five floors, to any of the houses, you exit and must take a stairwell
to your actual floor with-in the house. While the third floor of each house has only two suites, along with the connecting
breezeways and lounge areas, the other floors with-in the house are different. These other floors consist of four "suites"
containing six separate rooms in each. There are four doubles, a triple, and one single occupancy room on these floors.
Renovations
editDining Center
editIn 2010 ISU took initiative to fix up Watterson's Dining Commons. After 10 million dollars of renovations in their dining hall, Watterson now offers much more of a variety in a much more well lit and freshly painted environment, which was accomplished in 2010.
Other Renovations
editOver the length of three summers and two school years, Watterson Towers went through the renovation process which included repairing leaks, replacing furniture/carpet, installing wireless Internet access, painting rooms, and updating the lobby. After all of these renovations the University ended up spending over 28 million dollars fixing up and updating the building. This process was completed in 2012.
Falling Incidents
edit18 Year Old Student Survives Fall
editPrior to suffering many broken bones, ISU Freshman Mary Zilly survived a fall from 17 stories out of Watterson Towers. She had been leaning against a screen whilst waving to a friend down below, and the screen had broken out. She was saved after a tree broke her fall, forcing her into a mound of dirt.
45 Year Old Falls to Her Death
editHalloween weekend, October 2011, Alexandra Radulescu fell to her death from about 200ft. out of Watterson Towers. She had been attempting to climb the side of the building for unknown reasons, and after gaining control of a scaffolding being used for Watterson renovation purposes.
References
edit<http://www.housing.ilstu.edu/residence-halls/watterson/>
<http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-04-30/news/8702020108_1_hospital-bed-broken-window>