Friley Hall, one of Iowa State’s oldest and most renowned residence halls, will experience a facelift in the next couple of years.

Randy Alexander, director of the Department of Residence, said the Master Plan calls for the second-largest dormitory in the nation to have two of its sections at least partially removed.

He added the plans are all in the initial stages and are still subject to change.

Friley Hall consists of seven sections in all, each named after the year in which they were built: 1927, 1938, 1941, 1949, 1953, 1963 and 1984.

Alexander said the oldest two sections, 1927 and 1938, were chosen for renovations.

He said the 1927 section, located on the west end of Friley, will be entirely rebuilt because the fire escapes and stairwells are too narrow, and it would be too costly to remodel.

“It’s not cost effective to renovate [the 1927 section],” Alexander said. “We can build a new building, with the same number of beds for the same amount.”

He said the 1938 section, located on the north end of Friley, might be entirely or partially removed, depending on the architectural plans.

Virginia Arthur, associate director of Residence Life, said the 1938 section will be rebuilt as part of a community center.

She said the community center could be used as a place for groups to have special presentations and other activities.

Alexander believes the renovations to Friley Hall will not cause much controversy.

“Most people’s perception of Friley Hall is along Lincoln Way and Welch Avenue,” Alexander said. “The appearance from the road will [remain virtually unchanged].”

Arthur said she also does not expect residents to complain about the renovations.

“By and large, the response [the department has received] has been very positive,” she said.

Alexander said alumni might be disappointed, but he said the renovations probably will not be a big issue for new residents.

“Yeah, [former occupants] will have emotional ties to their former residence,” Alexander said, adding that they may not want to see their old dorm rooms go.

Derek Fichtner, an ISU alumnus who lived in Friley Hall and whose father also lived in Friley, said the changes could benefit ISU.

“I think [the renovations] sound exciting, as long as they can keep the historical integrity of the building,” Fichtner said.

Current residents also seem to support the modifications.

Erin Bryant, sophomore in zoology and resident of Friley Hall, said her only concern would be having enough rooms for people to live in while work is being done on the building.

“I’m sure it’ll be OK once it gets done,” Bryant said. “It’ll be nice for the [residents].”

Rudy VanMersbergen, freshman in agronomy, said he believes Friley Hall is one of the most important landmarks at ISU. He said he likes it the way it is, but he is not opposed to any changes.

However, there is at least one student who feels Friley Hall does not need a change.

“I think things are fine the way they are,” said Suzanne Nealey, sophomore in dietetics. “I don’t think they need to rebuild [anything in Friley].”

Alexander said the changes may start by the end of this school year, but will probably not be finished for five or more years.