New Lavish Lavatories in the Tower

Aadya Sharma & Gigi Kim

When the 2023-24 school year rolled around, many students were shocked by some unannounced changes in the Tower. New tiled floors and walls, new countertops and sinks, new stall doors—to everyone’s amazement, the Tower first floor bathrooms had been transformed. As the novelty of the change has faded away, one must wonder: when did this happen, and why?

Some students have speculated that this is part of the Students First: A Capital Campaign, the series of renovations announced at the 2022 Gala as a part of the OCSA 35th Anniversary Celebration. The project aims to accommodate the student body’s artistic and academic education, and encompass a wide range of exceptional outdoor facilities. The campaign has created a lot of curiosity and buzz on campus around the changes to come.

However, the truth is that this bathroom renovation is not part of that campaign. It is actually part of a regularly scheduled summer maintenance program. Over the next two years, students can expect to see newly renovated bathrooms throughout the Tower. The decision to begin on the first floor was due to preexisting renovations already occurring there.

Many students have expressed their positive opinions on the new look. Kate Shin (IM-P ‘25) said, “I did not know that they renovated the bathroom, so I was really shocked when I went inside. I really liked how they incorporated more space on the sink where people could put up their stuff.” The bathrooms around the school can be seen as havens for getting ready in the morning. Haeny Lee (VA ‘25) explained, “During the first day of school, when I went to the first floor tower restroom, I was pleasantly surprised because I always get ready in there, so I loved how spacious the counter was.”

In the next two years, students can expect to see many more exciting renovations from the Students First Campaign, from art murals to a grand exterior staircase where students can gather and relax. Hopefully, the rest of OCSA’s renovations—whether they are part of the Students First campaign, regular summer maintenance, or any other program—generate as much excitement and anticipation.