Anyone walking the hallways of Tyndale University may have noticed that the names and numbers on some doors have changed in recent months, and wondered why. The reason is actually quite simple: Tyndale wants to take the student experience to a higher level.
The New Katimavik
When Tyndale moved from Ballyconnor Court to its current campus in 2015, the Katimavik student lounge came along for the ride, and it found a spot in what was previously the Commuter Lounge. As of September 2024, though, it has settled into a permanent space in the D300 hallway, just down the hall from the Chapel, which is considered the “heart of the campus.”
“This lounge came directly from feedback our students gave us,” according to Sharon Chuah, Vice President, Student Development. “They wanted a space that was comfortable, easy to find and different from other spaces on campus. We decided to move the lounge to the main floor and spent time selecting all the pieces for it. It was important for us to create a space that was distinct and that students could call their own. Our hope was it would feel like the students’ living room, where they could relax and spend time together.”
The Kat, as it’s affectionately called, is a space solely dedicated for student use. It belongs to students and is open during all operating hours for them to sit, relax, converse, study or just take a minute to themselves.
The Guardians Nest
The Guardians Nest, located inside the Dining Hall, also opened in September 2024.
“It’s dedicated to one thing – fun!” said Chuah. “Whether video games, board games, puzzles or foosball games, the Nest serves as a reminder that part of the student experience at Tyndale is having fun together, creating memories and making sure there is space for breaks.
“The animals on the walls were a ‘happy accident’ during the design phase. The decor is meant to demonstrate fun, vibrance and a little bit of silliness. All students are welcome to enjoy the space.”
Two new music spaces
The Music and Technology Hub ( MaTH), formerly Music Practice Room G208B, is now equipped as a recording and mixing room. The Mac mini has two Digital Audio Workstations (Logic Pro and Ableton). Dual monitors make it easier for students to spread out their production tools. Audio monitoring can be done through the near-field speakers or with the headphone amp. The room is sound-proofed with acoustic treatment for a better listening environment for mixing and recording.
Students in music courses like Songwriting & Arranging, Worship Music Leadership, Music Ensemble, Workshop in Musicianship 1 and 2, Digital Technology and Sound Engineering, among others, can use the MaTH space for recording and production work in their classes.
They can also use the Hub to create and develop their own recording projects. There is a condenser mic and a MIDI controller in the room. They can plug their instruments directly into the Universal Audio Volt 4 audio interface as well.
The Ensemble Rehearsal Room (ERR) is a redesign of Room H251(previously the high school music room) into a multi-instrumental music rehearsal space designed for small ensembles. It includes a drum kit, acoustic piano, bass and electric guitar amps, and a PA system. The Tyndale Jazz combo ensemble course and the Drums/Percussion Applied Music classes are held in ERR. The student music club also meets in this space weekly. ERR also has acoustic treatment, but the room is located on the high-school side of the campus so it is not connected to other classrooms that could be disturbed.
Both MaTH and ERR, along with Tyndale’s other Music Practice Rooms, are available to students in two-hour blocks through the booking system at the Main Reception desk. Music majors/minors have priority access, but the rooms are available to non-music majors/minors and Tyndale staff and faculty as well.
Mini Market
When Tyndale closes its Cafeteria daily, students who live on campus have limited access to hot meal service. Or they used to. After community members who reside on campus told the school of a need for expanded availability of Food Services offerings, a Mini Market was developed to ensure that community members have 24/7 access to healthy and nutritious meals using their debit, credit or meal plan cards.
The Mini Market is located in the far corner of the Dining Hall and offers a variety of items that are typically available in the Cafeteria during operating hours, including coffee, parfaits, fruit cups, assorted fruits, sushi, sandwiches, salads, daily-special-style dinners and pastas. Snack items, though, are currently not for sale at the Mini Market.
The Mini Market project is aimed at providing students with improved meal offerings on campus. Feedback on how it’s doing, and recommendations for other products, are welcomed.
