After 14 months of construction, the new dorm, Shocker Hall, has opened.

The dorm opened with a grand opening and dedication ceremony Thursday afternoon in front of the building. Speakers included Steve Larson, director of housing and residence life, Wade Robinson, senior vice president for student engagement, student body president Matthew Conklin and President John Bardo.

Larson said the residence hall defines the campus’ commitment to residential living.

“Shocker Hall residences will experience spacious rooms, high-tech lounges, unprecedented Wi-Fi capabilities and a community that will be second-to-none,” Larson said.

Robinson added that the campus climate is drastically changing, especially with the addition of Shocker Hall. He said the university has formed what he calls the three legs of a stool that are the life of the student outside the classroom.

“The RSC is the living room,” he said. “Shocker Hall is the bedroom and kitchen and campus rec is the recreation for the home that our students will call Wichita State University.”

Bardo wants that idea of Wichita State as a home for students to resonate.

“It’s really important that these students understand that this is their home,” Bardo said.” We want them to try.”

Bardo said he realizes students might fail, but that’s OK. He said that’s part of being a student, and why the university created a living situation that’s supportive, caring and organized to help students.

“This is more than a building,” Bardo said. “This is about being a Shocker. This is about doing right things the right way.”

Conklin previously lived in Fairmount Towers earlier in his college career. He said students not living in Shocker Hall probably have one thought: being jealous of the students who live there.

“I know I am,” Conklin said with a chuckle.

Conklin added there were many questions revolved around the parking lot that used to stand where Shocker Hall was built. He said students who live in the dorm won’t have an idea of what the parking lot looked like, but that it is all part of the long-term vision of the campus.

“The University will benefit in the long-run,” Conklin said. “In essence, the students living in this facility will have an entirely different collegiate experience than myself, my class and all the Shockers that studied here before us.”

Bardo finished his opening speech saying Shocker Hall is the first step in a changing campus.

“This is a critical step because it lays the ground for the future,” Bardo said. “In this building, you see where we’re going, in this building, you see a physical manifestation of quality. You see everyday what it means to be a Shocker.”

Robinson said about 200 students are already moved in to the new dorm. The rest will move in on Saturday. The Sunflower will have a table at the move-in day, and will hand out copies of the Survival Guide and interact with residents.