Working up a dorm: IUS commemorates beginning of new residence hall project

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April 22, 2012

Working up a dorm: IUS commemorates beginning of new residence hall project

By JEROD CLAPP jerod.clapp@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Sun Apr 22, 2012, 08:36 AM EDT

NEW ALBANY — As demand for on-campus housing continues to boom, Indiana University Southeast will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its newest residence hall at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Timber Lodge’s construction is expected to begin this summer and last about a year, IU Southeast chancellor Sandra Patterson-Randles said. The $5.3 million project will add space for 87 more residential students.

“The last two years in the fall, we’ve had 100 percent occupancy,” Patterson-Randles said. “This past fall, for 399 beds, I think we had 558 applications. That’s one of the big points I was able to make to the trustees on the construction of the lodge.”

The project was approved by the Indiana University Board of Trustees in August of 2011. Patterson-Randles said she’s excited to see the building project start.

“I just think it’s a great addition to the campus,” Patterson-Randles said. “If it helps us with our persistence to graduation, then that’s just going to be wonderful.”

Dana Wavle, vice chancellor for administrative affairs, said the wait lists for housing have stayed pretty full and the new residence hall will fill that gap.

“There’s definitely a need for more housing, our wait list actually peaked at 107 beds, and the new lodge will help fulfill that,” Wavle said. “I think the demand for on campus housing has been high right from the start.”

He said $4 million of the project is funded through revenue bonds, $1 million from a gift to the university and $300,000 from campus funds.

Patterson-Randles also said the structure will seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The certification recognizes a lower carbon footprint in the construction process and the operations and maintenance of the building.