About 30 students attended the Residence Hall Association’s “Town Hall Meeting” Wednesday night to voice their concerns and questions about living in residence halls.
Their queries were answered by a panel that included Ann Bailey, director of housing and residence life; Margaret Volkenant-Meurer, assistant director for assignments, contracts and billing; Bill Kibler, vice president for Student Affairs; Jimmy Abraham and Lisa Harris, associate vice presidents for Student Affairs; Mike White, dean of students; Fred Mock, assistant director for facilities and maintenance; and Tom Johnson, chief of police.
The panel and students discussed problems such as parking for residents during game days, faulty elevators in Suttle Hall, lack of laundry rooms and pest problems.
Students also asked the panel about new policies, such as being able to enter and leave dorms 24 hours a day.
“We support 24-hour visitation, but the policy must be changed, and that’s up to the executive staff,” Bailey said.
“It’s probably not likely,” White added.
White also responded to students’ concerns about parking on game days.
“Football brings about 50,000 people to our campus,” he said. “It happens about six or seven times a year, and there is certainly a disruption associated with an event like football. We do remove cars if they aren’t moved. We move them to another lot, but it will not cost the students any money.”
“We do appreciate your understanding, though,” he added.
Mock took the floor to emphasize the importance of reporting problems. He told students that if they have any problems, all they have to do is contact maintenance.
In regards to the Suttle elevator problem, he said they are stuck with the elevators for at least two more years, but if they have problems, there is someone on staff to fix the elevators.
He also noted that pest control should not be a problem, but he did reiterate the importance of reporting problems.
Students were also curious about the new dorm being built.
“The new dorm will be for incoming freshmen, male and female,” Bailey said. “And just like it will cost more to live in a renovated dorm, it will cost more to live in a brand new one.”
The new dorm boasts 300 single rooms and 75 double rooms. It will also have a computer commons and two laundry rooms on each floor. In addition, the building will have wireless Internet capabilities.
Upperclassmen will have an opportunity to live in a new dorm after the next school year. An additional dorm similar to the new one will be built on the Hightower site after its demolition, Bailey said.
Residents concerned about policies or problems can contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life online at http://www.housing.msstate.edu/.