Following several long-term studies on the current status of the Gooch/Dillard and McCormick Road first-year residential buildings, the Office of Housing & Residence Life has come up with plans for major renovations for both of the residence areas.
Beginning in the summer of 2014, construction will start on Gooch/Dillard’s 381 building. During the 2015-16 academic year, buildings 385 to 389 are scheduled to be renovated, with work in the remaining three buildings in the complex slated to be performed during the 2016-17 academic year.
Much of the work planned for the renovations will be “some needed systems upgrades,” said Trish Romer, director of business and facilities services for University housing. This work will include upgrading the heating, cooling and plumbing systems. An upgraded fire protection system is also scheduled to be installed.
The room interiors will also be overhauled. On the agenda are complete renovations of all bathrooms, new flooring throughout, and the conversion of some rooms from singles to doubles.
“We’ve done a lot of work at the university level to figure out what best supports the first-year experience,” Romer said. Feedback from students and former residents led the housing office to determine that doubles create a better residence life experience for first-years, Romer said.
Following the completion of the Gooch/Dillard renovations in the summer of 2017, work is slated to begin on the McCormick Road housing complex. In addition to basic system upgrades, such as heating, electrical and plumbing, elevators and central air conditioning are scheduled to be installed in all buildings.
“Especially the A.C. … that would benefit everybody,” said first-year College student Richard Davis, a current resident in the Kent building in the McCormick Road complex. “I think it’s good that they’re kind of equalizing the amenities that you get in the old and new dorms.”
Because these changes will reduce available space in the ground level of several McCormick Road dorms, the current location of the offices for housing and residence life, these offices will move to Alderman Road.
The work on the McCormick Road buildings is still in the early stages of design, and Romer said it should take four years to renovate all of the buildings once work begins.
Read More
Former UJC Chair Harper Jones reflects on term with historic caseload
By Grace Little | 17 hours agoJones’ term spanning from April 1, 2024 to April 1, 2025 was characterized by an increase in caseload more than two-fold, with 49 cases adjudicated this past term.
Thomas Ackleson elected Honor Committee chair
By Bertie Azqueta | 18 hours agoHe succeeds Laura Howard, current Committee chair and fourth-year College student.
From the Archives: Extremely Serious Topics (Mar. 31 - April 6)
By Justice Menzel and Clara Franklin | YesterdayThis selection of important University happenings tells of an orgy in the Webb Lounge, presented by the Counselor’s Committee on Human Sexuality, as well as a reassignment of lawn residents to the McKim Nursing Dormitory after condemning the lawn for inadequate facilities and pestilence.
