The Village's dedication last Wednesday drew students -both residents and non-residents of the Village- faculty, staff, Board of Trustee Members and esteemed donors to the Village for food, music and fun. Tours of the Village were available for all guests. Free food was available a favorite among many was the chocolate fondue fountain.

Music was provided by Brandeis' WBRS, and Brandeis' own "Village People" gave a rendition of "YMCA".

University President Jehuda Reinharz said in an interview that he was thrilled about the opening of the Village.

"It's the kind of residence hall we should be building...according to comments from students, they're all very happy to live here," Reinharz said.

Reinharz said students were very involved in the planning of The Village, and its design was based on student feedback.

"Having housing this attractive is important to students and families when they come visit and see where their children will be living," said Deena Whitfield, Director of Enrollment.

Remarks were made by Student Union President Joshua Brandfon, '05, who also introduced President Reinharz who thanked the donors, architect Kyu Sung Woo, Berry Construction, Executive Vice President Peter French, Director of Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy, as well as Residence Life.

The Village quad director, Luigi Solla announced the dedication of a time capsule to be opened in twenty-five years. The time capsule will contain photos of current Village residents, newspapers, magazines, symbols of technology, and a Mr. Potatohead door decoration that greeted many residents upon their arrival at The Village. It will be added to as the year progresses.

"It should give students twenty-five years from now a small glimpse of what life was like- what it was like to be the first residents of this beautiful building," he said.

In his speech, President Reinharz said that the last residence hall built on campus was the Ziv Quad, in the late seventies. Currently, Brandeis houses 2700 of its students. In the future, the University aims to house ninety percent of its students on campus so that all students who wish to live on campus are able to do so.

"The next hall might very well be built suite-style," he said. "No plans yet, but clearly we'll have to build a new hall- I would like, over time, to raise the old ones and create new ones," said President Reinharz in an interview.

According to Associate Dean of Student Life, Alwina Bennett, "It's a beautiful place, and it reflects the institutional commitment to improve facilities to students...I hope it's just the beginning".

Although the University is thinking about the creation of another new residence hall, in his speech, President Reinharz emphasized all of the careful work and planning that went into The Village's creation.

"I watched every room being built," he said. "This is a Village; it took a community to build this village.