APPLETON, Wis. — Mattigan Haller quickly found her preferred spot to study in a brand new apartment at Lawrence University.
It’s right in the kitchen.
She is one of more than 80 students who recently moved into the 23 suite-style apartments at Fox Commons in downtown Appleton.
“It’s a great combination of being on campus, but also being off campus and being able to live like an adult, because we are,” Haller said. “I’m getting ready to go out into the world. This is my last year here at Lawrence and this is perfect for managing 'how am I going to cook my food? How am I going to feed myself?' I don’t have someone who is cooking food for me down at commons or at cafe.”
Haller is a senior pursuing three majors.
“It’s a perfect thing for learning what life is like after Lawrence and it’s a perfect experience to prepare me for that,” she said.
The university plans to open another 23 units in the building next summer. Lawrence University housing is just one of the Fox Commons tenants.
Mosaic Family Health, Prevea Health and business accelerator gener8tor are among other organizations locating to the downtown location.
“We didn’t want to just build a residence hall where students lived, we wanted to have an active learning space that would really prepare for the future and life after Lawrence,” said university President Laurie Carter.
The university is also opening centers in the building for students to explore and interact with careers in heath and business and entrepreneurship.
“The concept of moving from dorms to residence halls to now learning-living environments is where higher education is going,” Carter said. “It’s critically important that students are prepared to leave the campus and immediately, seamlessly, segue into career and life.”
Haller was involved with the design for Fox Commons through the Presidential Student Advisory Council.
“I wasn’t sure what I would get when I walked in the door,” she said. “I was blown away. It was more than I could have expected, more than I imagined. The rooms are huge. I get a beautiful kitchen and I get to live with three other amazing roommates, too, and still feel connected to campus.”