EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Students returning to Eastern Michigan University’s campus this fall will notice something different — an enhanced skyline featuring three newly renovated residence halls and two brand new four-story apartments under construction. It’s all part of a three-year $200 million initiative known as Welcome Home 2025. On Monday, July 31, from 10 – 11:30 a.m., invited media will get a first-hand look at the living spaces during a hard hat tour of the renovated Walton Hall, opening this fall, and the entirely new Lakeview Apartments, overlooking the University’s Student Center and ponds, opening in fall 2024.

Meeting students' wellness and academic needs is central to EMU’s Welcome Home 2025 Plan, an initiative to transform on-campus student housing to ensure that EMU students can access quality and affordable housing with modern technology. Students had a strong voice in the design process, with more than a dozen focus groups and a student survey that engaged more than 1,850 student participants. 

Downing, Putnam, and Walton are the first three residence halls to be completely renovated to welcome students for the fall 2023 semester.

“Campus living is a major part of the college experience–a time many alumni reflect on long after graduation,” said EMU President James Smith. “Our students deserve the best, and Welcome Home 2025 will deliver the best. I cannot wait to witness how these new spaces foster student growth and success for years to come.”

Welcome Home 2025 represents the most significant transformation of the Eastern Michigan University campus in decades. The project includes renovations to all remaining residence halls on the University’s campus, with enhancements to include new air conditioning, bathrooms, state-of-the-art technology, podcast spaces, and enhanced Wi-Fi. Several older housing facilities will be demolished as part of the project. The project also features the new construction of Lakeview and Westview Apartments, two new student-living facilities that host an additional 700 beds in an apartment-style living arrangement.

Media will be able to view the construction of two new living spaces during a hard hat tour. The schedule is as follows:

10 a.m. – Media arrive and park 

10:10 a.m. – A brief overview of the project and tour etiquette. Hard hats will be provided. 

10:15 a.m. – Tour of Walton Hall begins

10:45 a.m. – Leave Walton for Lakeview

11 a.m. – Tour Lakeview 

11:30 a.m. – Ellen Gold, dean of students, Mike Valdes, chief financial officer, and students available for interviews

For additional background information about the timeline and extensive campus/student engagement in the design and development process, visit welcomehome2025.com.    

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.