Cornell in the summer is not as quiet as one might think. In preparation for this academic year, construction and renovation projects across the Hilltop have made significant improvements to the quality of student life on campus. Changes in residential living and athletic facilities will undoubtedly enhance the Cornell experience for years to come.
 The most noticeable addition this fall is the addition of the new residence hall on campus. Clock Tower Hall, accommodating 96 upper-class students in suite-style living, offers a great new living environment for Cornell students.
“I really enjoy the overall atmosphere of Clock Tower. I think the floors have a great sense of community for being an upper classmen building and of course, the air conditioning isn't too bad either,” remarked Heather Fransen '09, a Clock Tower resident.
 Clock Tower Hall is a terrific addition to campus, located to the south of Pauley and Rorem Halls. Each suite houses four students and offers both single and double-room options. A common living room, private bathroom, and climate control complete the suite. Additionally there is a study lounge and full kitchen on each floor.
Two other residence halls, Tarr and Dows, also had improvements made over the summer. The carpet was replaced on the landings and common areas of both halls, as was the lighting. Dows Hall also received new modular furniture to give residents more options to organize their living space.
As fall athletics start up, many students are taking advantage of the sweeping facelift and new facilities.
“The recent renovations in the Multi-Sport Center continue to show the college’s dedication and support for its student-athletes and athletic programs,” said Dick Simmons, Interim Director of Athletics.
 The $1.3 million project in the facility has multiple components, including the creation of a 7,000 square foot wrestling room where the swimming pool (pictured at right) used to be housed.
Cornell wrestler Andrew Smith ’09 commented positively about the changes, “Due to the size of our room we had to previously come up with alternative ways in which to approach drilling and live practice matches; now we can shift training techniques and focus on a more one-on-one approach.”
 The state-of-the-art wrestling facility (pictured at left) will be a great boost to a program that has won 29 duals in the last two years and finished 12th in NCAA Division III last March.
The new wrestling facility also made way for a large addition to the Meyer Strength Training Facility which now stretches into the former wrestling room. The addition resulted in a 5,800 square foot weight room, nearly doubling the size of the facility, and the addition of approximately $80,000 in new equipment to benefit students.
 Jeremy Frey, Cornell Strength and Conditioning coach remarked that the changes, “will allow the strength and conditioning program to accommodate more student-athlete's at one time. With the way the block plan is set-up, this will make it easier on the student-athletes' daily schedule and commitments.”
 In addition to the wrestling room and strength training facility, the indoor track in the arena also received a considerable facelift. The old track, installed in 1985, was replaced with an Olympic quality six-lane Mondo 14mm Super X indoor track surface. The distinctive Cornell-purple track will offer a better surface for training and home track meets.
Simmons went on to add, “All of Cornell’s student-athletes will benefit from the renovated strength and conditioning room that will allow them to train at the highest levels for athletic competition. The new Mondo indoor track surface and expanded wrestling room now allow our track and field and wrestling athletes to practice and compete in two of the best venues in the Midwest.”
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See additional photos of the renovations in the Richard and Norma Small Multi-Sport Center.
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