Junior English major Jaclyn N.
Shambaugh moves into the Living-Learning Center in December. The
moving process was “hectic.”
After a semester-long
delay, Doughton Hall residents were allowed to move into the partially
completed Living-Learning Center.
Students moved most of their belongings to the
new residence hall Dec. 9-18, Director of Housing Operations Dr.
Tommy Wright said.
Wright said U-Haul trucks and staff provided by
the Department of Housing and Residence Life helped transport students’
belongings from Doughton Hall on the east side of campus to the
Living-Learning Center, located behind John A. Walker Hall.
Wright
said students were permitted to make 30-minute appointments, which
were later decreased to 15 minutes, to move their things.
“I was a little worried we wouldn’t get students moved
in 30 minutes,” Wright said.
Wright said staff worked from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to accommodate students.
“We had a good time interacting with students,” Wright
said.
Junior English major Jaclyn N. Shambaugh said the moving process
was “hectic.”
“As far as physically moving, [the Department of Housing and
Residence Life] is helping us,” Shambaugh said.
But Shamabugh said she felt the delay in moving to the Living-Learning
Center was “not handled properly.”
“We got a lot of wrong information,” Shambaugh said. “We
needed more direct connection with housing.”
Wright said he had not heard any complaints about the moving process
and is “pleased” with the operation of the move.
Lori Carson with the Department of Housing and Residence Life said
the residential portion of the Living-Learning Center is complete,
but construction on the academic area of the building will continue
after students move.
Assistant Director of Housing Operations Stacy Sears said the now-empty
Doughton Hall will begin a renovation process that is part of a
plan to renovate all the residence halls in the Eastridge community.
“Doughton Hall will undergo a large cosmetic change,”
Wright said.
Wright said the lobby will see a new large reception area similar
to a hotel. Reception desks will be added along with a new entrance
and a wall to separate recreation and television areas.
Doughton will also receive a laundry room on the first floor to
replace laundry areas on separate floors, new floor and paint schemes,
electrical upgrades, and movable furniture to replace existing built-in
pieces. Other new features will include new windows, new tiles,
new vanities and lighting in the bathrooms, sprinkler systems and
recessed ceiling tiles.
Wright said air conditioning is still in the discussion stage. The
plan would include building a small chiller similar to the one being
constructed near the Miles Annas Student Services Building.
“We want to add air conditioning but want to be as cost efficient
as possible,” Wright said.
