The exterior look of the building and its relationship to our Quad and collegiate-Georgian architecture is important. The "wow factor" of the lobby is inviting, and it is lively with activity. The interior conveys openness and warmth, and highlights the College's international focus. Persons with disabilities find the building welcoming. The mural is incorporated into the new design. The facility itself exemplifies our Honor System - "Accepting Environmental Responsibility" - and includes energy efficient systems, common sense solutions for energy conservation, and an economy of maintenance.

The Center is "one-stop shopping" for students - the place to eat, check mail, visit the Health and Counseling Centers, the Student Development Offices, and to participate in student organizations and activities. The offices and the departments of Student Development support a vibrant student life, meet student need, and are located conveniently for students and to facilitate shared support, administration, and communication between departments (Dean of Students, Campus Life, Student Activities, Residential Life, Multicultural Affairs and Disability Services, Security, the Counseling and Health Centers.)

The Quadstop/snack bar is the center of student and faculty interaction and faculty lunch groups. Those functions are enhanced by a homey, pub-like cyber café that is also used for a coffeehouse or jazz ensemble in the evenings, and as a showcase for student art and talents.

Hicks must include a number of multi-functional spaces with support/food amenities nearby to accommodate meetings for faculty and students: faculty TeachLunches, student organizations, spiritual or reflective experiences, social activities, and relaxation and lounging. Spaces are flexible and convertible for multiple uses, including a larger entertainment space. There are six working fireplaces in the building, and their hearths are quite literally at the center of activity.

Most of our senior class lives off-campus. Hicks draws them back to the campus and is their campus "family room," the place where they engage with the activity and life of the community and with each other, and study or eat lunch between classes.

Hicks is technologically sophisticated. The building is wireless and any member of the community can sit down anywhere in the building and access the kinds of electronic tools and supports that help manage one's life and education. Multi-functional and meeting spaces are technology-smart in terms of electronic support, and lights come on and go off as one enters or exits a room.

The College's bookstore is centrally located for all members of the community and visitors, and offers cutting-edge methods of making available books, resources, supplies, convenience items, and soft goods.

WJMD, the College's radio station, broadcasts from a booth near the entrance, and is technologically up-to-date.

One mail and service center is a crossroads for our community: students, organizations, faculty and staff. All members of the community can send and receive mail and packages, obtain copies, and receive services necessary for class projects and office operations.

The Student Dining Center (renovated in 1999) is functionally sound, has received a facelift, and is ADA compliant. Programmatic areas of the building are supported with nearby preparation and storage units to accommodate hospitality, reception, and social functions. Space is available for dining with students, administration, faculty, Trustees, alumni and/or donors.

The redesign and renovation of Hicks is, first of all, for members of the College community. However, the redesign acknowledges our relationship to and use by members of the Kalamazoo community and alumni. When spaces in the Center are not in use by members of the College community, space is made available to alumni and community members.