University on-campus housing is slated to take on a bit of a different look this year, starting with renovations in Sullivan Residence Hall.
This will be the first renovation project in Sullivan since 1979 and only the second to take place since the building opened in 1966. The dormitory will be closed for the duration of the summer, with the renovations commencing May 14 and wrapping up sometime in August.
At 12 stories high, Sullivan provides a 24-hour computer lab and occupancy for 713 students. Yulisa Lin, assistant director for University Housing, explained renovating a building of this magnitude can be considerably time consuming for the University.
“This project has been in the works for about a year or so. There’s a lot of work that has to go into it, including getting it approved and getting everyone that we need involved in order to move forward,” Lin said.
Since the building hasn’t been updated in over 30 years, nearly ever facet will require attention, according to Lin.
“Things that we will be addressing are ceiling tiles, furniture, the wall between two rooms and putting in new floor tiles throughout rooms and hallways,” Lin said. “We need flexibility and time to get it all done.”
In past summers, Sullivan has housed University campers and incoming freshmen during the orientation process. This year, campers and freshmen will be redistributed among other dorms, including Lee and Bragaw . Similar renovations are expected to take place in Lee Residence Hall in 2013.
This isn’t the only major change on the agenda for University Housing. Directors and staff at Wolf Village Apartments are gearing up for the addition of a sophomore resident building in the fall 2012 semester. In the past, Wolf Village has only offered accommodations to a select few sophomores who roomed with junior, senior and graduate student residents.
The decision was made following a steady increase in the number of sophomores living on campus. Tim Blair, associate director of University Apartments, emphasized these new arrangements are intended to aid students in their development.
“We’re looking to put in support mechanisms to make them successful,” Blair said.
The building reserved for sophomore residents will include a computer lab, tutorial center, a front desk and staff on site who will offer help and guidance tailored to this age group.
“It’s really about being programmatic and giving them the tools they need to be successful in their sophomore year,” Blair said.
Sophomores interested in making this move will have to be invited to Wolf Village Apartments after applying through N.C. State’s Housing Application Renewal Process online. In order to be eligible for the HARP sophomore exemption, students must have lived on campus for at least two terms with no judicial record. In addition, a total GPA of 2.8 or higher will be required.
Rising sophomore students interested in Wolf Village residency should email their name and student ID to University Housing at [email protected]. Those interested in applying as a group of four should select a group leader to submit the names and student ID numbers of all candidates in one email to [email protected].
