>> 
[music]
>> Winter is not typically known as the Ògrowing
season,Ó but eve a fresh blanket of snow
canÕt hide the signs of progress sprouting
up on the RIT campus. Global Village, the
universityÕs new retail marketplace and housing
complex, is rapidly taking shape. When completed,
Global Village will bear some resemblence
to the street-side cafes that are common throughout
Europe.
>> GLENN FOSTER: Everything that the students
really need is going to be right here in this
plaza area. ItÕs going to be a very unique
living experience for them.
>> Retail outlets will provide an array of
international offerings, complementing more
traditional service provides. Located up above,
the projectÕs residential offerings will
serve an important role in accommodating RITÕs
growing student population.
>> JAMES YARRINGTON: Global Village was really
a response to a specific need, which was replacing
the River Knoll housing.
>> New unites will serve more than 400 upperclassmen
beginning this fall. Sustainable aspects of
the project, like a slanted ÒgreenÓ roof,
will help ensure it receives ÒLEEDÓ certification.
WhatÕs also worth noting is the overall design.
It is considered more reflective of an urban
setting.
>> JAMES YARRINGTON: WeÕre trying to find
more ways to make our campus more compact,
more pedestrian friendly, less reliant on
cars. So having more concentrated housing
certainly reinforces that.
>> ThatÕs something that has students taking
note.
>> Brenda Lisitano: Because the dorms are
so far away from the academic side of campus.
I think a lot of students will congregate
there and hopefully weÕll be able to have
some events and other things going on.
>> All elements of the complex are slated
to open for business in September. So how
do project managers expect the campus to react,
that is when it gets itÕs first real taste
of Global Village?
>> GLENN FOSTER: Wow! ThatÕs what IÕm hoping
for. IÕm hoping for a little ÔwowÕ factor.
I think weÕre going to know we hit one out
of the park. I really do.
>> For Campus Connection, this is Paul Stella,
RIT University News.
