Housing adds new carpet, furniture to residence halls

Approximately $260,000 of student housing funds has been spent on new furniture and carpet for the residence halls, with the exception of Bell Hall.

Over the winter break, 13 lounges, two front sitting areas and two game rooms received new furniture and window treatments and Adams Hall was the first to receive new carpeting.

Executive Director of University Housing, Larry Christenson, said these new additions are the first steps in renovating the residence halls. His plan is to improve the residence halls by providing a space where students can feel comfortable in order to build a sense of community.

“My plan is to do a little bit each year,” Christenson said. “We want to create a place where people want to go, and it is hard to create a sense of community without a comfortable place for people to get together.”

Christenson said the original furniture in the residence halls was not very durable.

“It looked pretty when it was new, but it was really starting to look bad,” he said. “We are going to buy furniture that looks good and holds up.”

University Housing intentionally ordered less furniture than what was needed in each area. Christenson said the reason for this is to get feedback from students and then order more based on what the pieces of furniture the students like best.

Because student-housing fees are funding this renovation, University Housing wants to make sure they are benefiting their residents in every way possible.

While students think the new furniture is nice, some have expressed their disappointment with the way their housing fees are being used.

“I’m not sure furniture is going to build a sense of community,” freshman athletic training major Steven Goldman said. “I haven’t even seen people using it.”

Freshman undeclared major Thomas Barrett said he would rather University Housing cut back on housing costs in general instead of using such a large sum of money to get new furniture and carpeting.

University Housing will continue to plan for further renovations, including re-painting the walls, installing more carpeting, and more purchasing more furniture.

Christenson said the next step, if the budget allows, is to renovate the outdoor area surrounding the residence halls. The goal is to make the area more functional by re-doing the massive network of sidewalks and adding volleyball courts, fire pits, sitting areas, and barbecues.