On Aug. 7.students residing on the 4th floor of Lucio Hall received an email about maintenance issues regarding the updating and installation of the fire alarm system.
The scheduled system update called for work to start on the first floor and work up floor by floor. Due to COVID- 19 and Hurricane Hannah, shipments including equipment and materials were delayed over the summer.
Floors one to three were ready for move in before the start of the semester, but the fourth floor remains incomplete for student habitation, leaving some students in a temporary living situation.
“We’re not charging any student until they move, so there is a chance they will get a refund or credit” Executive Director of Housing Thomas Martin said.
Housing provided three options for students residing on the fourth floor with the estimated completion date of Sept. 13
Students could stay home until their rooms were ready to be occupied with no room charge and adjustment to their account, they could accept temporary housing in Turner-Bishop with private rooms and no extra charge or they could seek housing accommodations of their own and be released from their housing contract.
“I’m upset about Lucio not being ready and having to live in bishop, but I understand that it not ready and will be soon,” one student said*.
Martin is understanding about the students’ situation.
“I’ve got my own estimate, and I walk the halls everyday with my facility guy to get an idea of when it will be done,” Martin said.
“We’re going to try and provide students help and spread out move-in over several days to space it out and make it easy and safe.”
Some students were initially disappointed about having to reside in Turner-Bishop.
“At first I was mad about it but I’m okay with it now that I’ve settled in and gotten used to it,” a second student said*.
*Editor’s Note: In order to protect student privacy names are omitted.
