RPS increasing dorm capacity

As the largest incoming freshman class is scheduled to flock to Bloomington this fall, questions have surfaced involving space concerns while dorm renovations are taking place in Eigenmann Hall and Foster-Harper. \nBob Weith, director for Residential Operations, said the objectives of the renovations are to modernize the facilities so as to "meet current students' needs and wants more fully."\nRenovations include updating water and air conditioning systems, replacing old furniture, improving public area space and "generally (providing) living arrangements that are more comfortable to the students."\n"These buildings were built decades ago and haven't ever received this type of major attention," Weith said.\nAlso involved in the renovation process is Larry Isom, director of Facility Management with Residential Programs and Services. \nIn Eigenmann, Isom said new heating and air conditioning piping and new fan coil units are being installed as well as individual temperature controls in each room. New data lines and cable television accommodations are being made as well.\nIn the north and east wings of Eigenmann, student rooms are being turned into suites, and wall-to-wall carpeting along with new furniture will be ready for students in the fall.\nWhile the west wing of Eigenmann won't be open this coming semester, seven floors of the south wing with 20 rooms each will be open and remain as single rooms.\nIsom said renovations on floors six through nine of Foster-Harper include the enlargement of bathrooms and the installation of new data, phone and television lines in student rooms. Dorm room doors will be replaced as well as old furniture and carpeting. \n"At a point down the line, a number of offices will move into part of Eigenmann," Weith said. "Some of this will hopefully happen this year." \nIsom said there is a "master plan" in the works that includes renovations in the remaining dorms and the construction of a new student housing facility whose location has yet to be determined. \nAddressing the issue of pressing space as IU sets up for the largest incoming class to move in, Isom and Weith said it isn't a major concern since adequate accommodations are being made.\n"I believe our emphasis is as much on offering increased space quality as it is on increasing capacity. Based on the numbers we've been seeing since spring, we will continue to be very full this year," Weith said. "(We) have used floor lounges as temporary space when we have increased numbers of students." \nIsom added the allotment of double-singles will be cut back as well.\n"Cutting that away increases the space," Isom said. "We only have a certain capacity for students and we're now allowing single students to live in family apartments such as Campus View and Hillcrest."\nSenior Pete Jones, a Resident Assistant in Teter, said he thinks while the renovations are necessary, some on-campus students get an unfair shake.\n"It's not only fair to those who might have to stay in lounges, but it hurts the community areas," Jones said. "There's no common place when people have to live in there."\nThe incoming freshman class will be anxious, as they always are. It's harder to control the overcrowding and it's going to be more work for us as Resident Assistants. Everyone deserves to be here though. We just have to deal with it"