The demolition of Regina Hall was an action that needed to be taken, but it took something special away from the new freshmen that recently came in. Along with the demolition came sadness from the previous residents that lived there over the many years.
Regina Hall was the oldest residence building on Saint Xavier University’s campus. It was 55-years-old as it was open since 1964. This hall held all of the first year students that came to live on campus as well as having been a designated building for hosting student events.
When I was a first year student living on campus, I often wondered why all the freshmen were in one building together. I thought we should have been allowed to live among upperclassmen, but looking back I am so thankful for my experience living in Regina.
Being able to make friends and live in the same building as my freshmen peers was something I will treasure forever. It was nice being able to walk by in the hallways and see people sitting in the study rooms and stop to have a conversation. Regina was special because unlike the other dorms, you could see this only in Regina.
In Regina, everyone would run back-and-forth from each other’s rooms, either just to hang out or do homework together. It was truly a community within itself, as lots of friendships were formed every year in that building.
I remember just moving into Regina and making new friends. I’d be back in my dorm room during the early hours in the morning after a long night of hanging out with my friends. My friends and I would sit in the hallway, and play cards or have movie nights. I made most of my friends by just living in Regina.
Now, with Regina being knocked down and the first year students being separated in two different residence halls, I cannot help but think of what they are missing out on. Living together in one residence hall creates a bonding experience with fellow classmates.
A majority of the first year students are residing in Pacelli Hall while the others are in Rubloff Hall with the upperclassmen. With the first year students now separated, there is a lack of community that Regina once created.
Living together with people who are just coming into college and have the same fears and nerves as you can make the transition that much easier. Being able to have all of the new friends you made in the same building makes the residence hall feel more like home.
The first year of college is essential in making new friends and forming bonds that last way after college is over. I met all of my friends just by living in the same residence hall together. The first year students this year now have to go back-and-forth from the different dorms to hang out with one another.
While Regina Hall had many problems that would have cost more than the demolition itself, it is still bittersweet that the oldest residence hall that held so many memories had to be knocked down. The first years will never get to experience the community Regina has offered over the years and that is truly heartbreaking.