Eigenmann Hall and Foster-Harper are the latest dorms to be renovated on the IU campus. The improvements to Foster-Harper include updating computer data outlets, television outlets, replacing heating and air-conditioning units, doors, furniture and improving the dorms' public areas. Two wings of Eigenmann are being turned into suites. Offices will be installed eventually as part of the improvement to public spaces in all dorms. Some work will be finished in time for the fall semester, but the west wing of Eigenmann and portions of the south wing will not be open this coming semester. All the work that is being done in the dorms is necessary in order to create the best living situations possible and the most comfortable lifestyle available on-campus. Residential Programs and Services have a difficult task at hand. It must improve the quality of the dorms and temporarily inconvenience some students while balancing the largest incoming freshman class in the school's history. RPS is doing everything it possibly can to accommodate everyone while doing what is best for the University. Maintaining a high standard in the quality of dorm facilities is crucial to the University's ability to attract students to IU. "These buildings were built decades ago and haven't ever received this type of major attention," Residential Operations Director Bob Weith said. People think that students living in lounges is wrong, but RPS said they never placed students anywhere (meaning having assigned them to rooms) to then displace them. Weith also said there is less demand for dorm space this year as more students are wanting to live off-campus. He added that there is a waiting list of 200 students for Campus View apartments alone. That said, this is just as good a time as any to start the remodeling process. Despite what people say about students living in lounges, there's going to have to be sacrifice on someone's part. In the years to come, we'll look back at some of the sacrifices students had to make in order to deal with the improvements and realize it was for the best. A new dorm facility is on the way, but in order to maximize the best that we have right now, renovations must take place.
yes - no - abstain
