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An aerial photo of North Campus housing and Kleiner on a Fall Day

Campus housing evolves with changing student populations

Story by Sheila Babbitt

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Grand Valley’s campus has changed a lot over the last 60 years. One of the most notable evolutions is campus housing options. 

You may have heard of the first three residential buildings on campus: Copeland, Kistler and Robinson living centers. Since their debut, the campus population has more than quadrupled. 

In 1963, 225 students came to campus to take classes. Last fall, GVSU welcomed more than 5,200 students who were moving into their on-campus rooms. Today, the university offers 10 different living styles on the Allendale and Pew campuses. Our tour of campus housing begins below.

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Black and white photo showing Robinson, Copeland built and Kistler under construciton

Aerial view of Robinson (left) and Copeland (center) living centers, and Kistler under construction, ca. 1970. (University Archives)

A vintage photo showing the exterior of Copeland

James M. Copeland House, now Copeland Living Center, in the 1960s. (University Archives)

Black and white archive photo showing students studying in their room
Black and white archive photo showing students in the Copeland laundry room ironing and doing laundry

Students doing laundry in Copeland House, 1966. (University Archives)

Black and white archive photo showing students studying in their room


An archive photo of Copeland from across Little Mac, there are no other buildings around

A 1970s photo of the Robinson, Copeland and Kistler living centers looking across Little Mac Bridge. (University Archives)

Male students chat in their Kistler Dorm

Kistler Living Center, 2019. (Mitch Ranger)

Students talk in their Robinson room

Robinson Living Center, 2017. (Mitch Ranger)


Contemporary photo of students sitting at a round table on the back side of the Traditional Housing buildings, by the ravine

Students sitting outside the traditional housing buildings, 2017. (Amanda Pitts)

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Aerial photo of a Grand Valley Apartment building
Aerial photo of a group of Grand Valley Apartment buildings

Grand Valley Apartments, 2022. (Amanda Pitts)

Archive photo of female students in a GVA bedroom
Archive photo of GVA in the winter
Archive photos of male students in GVA

Grand Valley Apartments, 1960s. (University Archives)

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An archive photo of the Ravines Apartments and parking lot in the Winter

Ravine Apartments in winter from across the parking lot, 1980s. (University Archives)

Black and white archive photo showing a student studying in a living room in the Ravines


Black and white archive photo showing a bedroom in the Ravines


Black and white archive photo showing a living room in the Ravines


The Ravines Apartments in the 1970s. (University Archives)

Student works on a weaving outside the Ravines Apartments

Student seated on lawn at Ravine Apartments, 1970s. (University Archives)

Student on the phone in his dorm

Student talking on the phone in the Ravines Apartments, 1973. (University Archives)

Archive photo of the exterior of the Ravines

Outside view of student walking toward Ravine Apartments, 1970s. (University Archives)


A contemporary aerial photo of the area that the Ravines used to be. One building remains and the rest is parking lot.

Aerial view of the Ravines Center parking lot shown in 2022. (Amanda Pitts)

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Two students talk in their dorm room. A kitchenette is in the background.

North C Living Center room, 2019 (Mitch Ranger)

Exterior of North C in the summer.

North C Living Center courtyard, 2021. (Tanner Hamilton)

Students play foosball in a living center lounge

North C Living Center lounge, 2016. (Mitch Ranger)

Interior hallway and kitchenette is shown with doorways to a bathroom and bedroom

Johnson Living Center, 2017. (Mitch Ranger)

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Vintage photo showing the exterior of Hoobler

Maple Living Center, formerly Hoobler Living Center, circa 1980s/90s. (University Archives)

Exterior photo of Oak Living Center

The exterior of Oak Living Center.

Students chat, play ping pong and study in a lounge space

Stafford Living Center lounge, 2019. (Mitch Ranger)

Students smile in a dorm with sink and mirror in the background

Pew Living Center room, 2020. (Mitch Ranger)

Students and families move into Kirkpatrick living center

Students and Families move in to Kirkpatrick Living Center, 2021. (Valerie Hendrickson)

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Aerial photo of Laker Village apartments in the fall

Aerial view of Laker Village Apartments, 2015. (Amanda Pitts)

A contemporary image of a woman running through Laker Village

Laker Village Apartments, 2020. (Valerie Hendrickson)

Exterior of a Laker village apartment

2020 (Valerie Hendrickson)

Male Students in the kitchen/living area of a Laker Village apartment

2017 (Mitch Ranger)

Exterior view of Laker Village

2008

Laker Village Apartments

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Aerial of Calder arts center and living center in the fall

Calder Fine Arts Living and Learning Center, 2015. (Amanda Pitts)

Exterior contemporary photo of calder living center

Calder Fine Arts Center, 2019. (Sarah Anderson)

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Exterior photo of a South Campus apartment

South Campus Apartments, 2016. (Valerie Hendrickson)

Students gathered in a housing lounge

South E Apartments lounge, 2019. (Mitch Ranger)

Exterior of Neimeyer in the winter

Niemeyer Living Center, 2020 (Kendra Stanley-Mills)

Students laugh while playing Nintendo Switch in the common area of their apartment style unit

Murray Living Center Apartments, 2022 (Mitch Ranger)

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A contemporary image of Winter Hall and Secchia on the downtown campus

Winter and Secchia Halls, 2021 (Amanda Pitts)

Students play pool, study and cook in a downtown living center common area

Winter Hall lounge, 2021 (Amanda Pitts)

A 2000s exterior photo of Secchia

Secchia Hall, 2000s (University Archives)

A student studys on her bed in Winter hall. A kitchenette and bathroom in the foreground.

Winter Hall, 2021 (Amanda Pitts)


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A drone image of Holton-Hooker

Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center, 2017. (Brad Scott)

Communal space with bright green chairs and kitchenette pictured

Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center lounge, 2016 (Bill Lindhout)

Students Gather around a fire pit outside of Holton Hooker

Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center, 2016 (Bill Lindhout)

The Einstein Bagels in Holton Hooker is shown

Einstein Bagels in Holton-Hooker Living Center (Valerie Hendrickson)

Students play guitar and talk in a holton-hooker dorm room

Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center, 2017 (Mitch Ranger)

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