Engagement centers offer a variety of services, including a writing center, math tutoring, public computers and health service clinics.

The centers will be located in the Union and McDonel Hall.

“With the renovations of the residence halls, we found an opportune time to put these in place,” Bishop said. “It’s a way for students to go and ask questions and help them with papers, health and fitness and connect them across campus.”

Bishop said the reason for adding two more engagement centers was to help bring resources from across campus to one spot for students.

“We wanted a local neighborhood, local gas station type (of) place for the students (to get all the resources),” Bishop said. “We wanted to get this right in front of where they live because that’s where (the students) are. There is a greater chance of getting them to see the resources available.”

The addition of the new engagement centers will bring the total number to five centers across campus, joining centers in Hubbard Hall, Holden Hall and Brody Square.

Bishop said the funds for the additional engagement centers will come out of revenue made from room and board — the same fund the residence hall renovations are being funded from.

As the renovations to the Union begin this summer, the engagement center will temporarily be placed on the third floor before moving permanently to the basement of the Union near the Multicultural Center. The River Trail neighborhood engagement center will be housed on the first floor in McDonel Hall and cost $2 million.

With all of the resources in a centralized location in each neighborhood, some students have realized the benefits of the centers.

Apparel and textile design freshman Darryl Jackson said the variety of resources is convenient so students don’t have to travel across campus to receive the resources.

Jackson uses the writing center at Hubbard Hall’s engagement center for help writing papers.

“Your teacher’s office hours are at a specific time,” Jackson said. “If you can’t make it, you’re out of luck. (The engagement centers) are open at later times and help with all types of tutoring.”

However, some students worry the engagement centers could be a waste of money if students don’t utilize the resources.

“Personally, I’m living in a sorority next year, so for me, it’ll be a lot more convenient,” no-preference freshman Taylor Garcia said.

“I think there should be more research done so they don’t waste the money.”

Bishop said last semester more than 15,000 students were helped in the three neighborhoods.

“If we didn’t think it would get us better results, then we wouldn’t have done it,” Bishop said. “Parents are much more thrilled because they know how complex campus can be, and this helps with that.”