University Prepares Residence Halls for Incoming Students

The University of Arkansas is updating and reopening housing facilities to accommodate the record number of students who want to attend the university and live on campus this fall. The improvements range from replacing cooling units and flooring to installing closed circuit security television cameras and upgraded fire alarm systems. The housing facilities will be ready for new and returning students in August. The work will provide nearly 300 additional residence hall rooms and ensure that on-campus housing is available for all incoming freshmen. Sophomore, junior and senior students who have questions about living on campus can contact Florence Johnson, director of administrative services for University Housing, at 479-575-3951.

Two residence halls, Buchanan-Droke and Gladson-Ripley, will house in-coming freshman students this academic year, and Bud Walton Hall is being renovated to further meet the needs of students who want to live in university housing. These renovations are extensive, said David Davies, assistant vice provost for finance and administration in student affairs.

Walton Hall is the most extensive renovation: all new air conditioning units are being installed, along with new lights, paint and flooring throughout the building; the bathrooms are also being renovated. Walton was closed for three years and other uses for that building were being considered until it became apparent that more student housing was needed.

Gladson-Ripley Hall was not used to house students last year and is being freshened up with new paint and flooring in the community spaces. Some external lighting is being added and some landscaping is also being done around the building.

Only half of Buchanan-Droke Hall was used to house students during the 2009-10 school year. Renovation to this hall includes all new carpet, furniture and paint.

In addition to these improvements, the university is also upgrading security and fire alarm systems in these halls, according to Reggie Houser, assistant director for facilities administration in student affairs. "We are really working to make these living spaces more functional for our students while maintaining a high level of security," he said.

Buchanan-Droke and Gladson-Ripley halls are getting new fire alarm systems that have automatic severe weather instructions built in, which is in line with the rest of the housing facilities on campus. More cameras connected to the closed circuit television security system are also being installed in these two halls, partly because of the new controlled-access points into the buildings, added for the convenience of the hall residents.

Walton Hall is also getting security and safety upgrades. When the hall opens for students in the fall it will have a secure card reader system and a closed circuit television security system as well. Walton Hall was already equipped with the fire alarm system that is being installed in the other renovated halls.

"The additional revenues associated with increased enrollment and our operating with fiscal caution in the current economic climate has resulted in the funds being available to perform these needed improvements to the facilities," said Davies. He pointed out that it is the university's goal to increase enrollment and that these facilities will now be available to accommodate students into the future.

That should also help the university's goal of having more students complete their studies and graduate.

"Campus and national data show that living on campus increases student retention rates and creates greater overall satisfaction with the college experience" said Tim Burkhalter, director of residence education.

In addition to refurbishing and reopening facilities, housing has other programs and services that help students succeed.

Coordinators for Residence Education are full-time professional staff with master's degrees who manage residential complexes, supervise hall staff, advise organizations and facilitate student and faculty engagement, along with other duties. Each floor, wing or community in the residence halls also has at least one upper class mentor, or resident assistant, to advise students on adjusting to college life and academic or personal issues. The Counselors in Residence program includes graduate level interns who help provide additional assistance to students experiencing challenges both in and out of the classroom. Housing also provides academic and thematic learning communities that bolster the out-of-classroom experience by giving students a chance to interact with faculty and other like-minded students in a non-classroom setting.