Budget cuts put strain on housing

With increases in budget cuts and the filing of financial exigency residential housing faces it’s own fair share of problems at the university.
Shandon Neal, director of Housing says that the budget cuts have affected housing, making it difficult for them to make certain renovations and improvements to on campus life.
“It affected us tremendously,” said Neal. “We had to reduce staff and cut back on purchasing some of the supplies that we need”.
Even though the on-campus dorms and the apartments are said to be in livable condition, there are still some renovations and improvements that are needed to be made.
“We didn’t make renovations for our old facilities such as Reed, White, and Washing”, Neal said.
 For the dorms up front of campus, restroom renovations, facility renovations, and painting for these dorms are very much needed. For the dorms and apartments in the back of campus, residential life plans on doing some painting and minimal facility changes.
Neal discusses the challenges and successes of the co-ed dorm at Camille Shade Hall saying, “The challenges were getting the people to adhere to the rules. The success of this as that we didn’t have too many issues on visitation violation”.
Neal is seeing if the school can maybe get some capital facility improvement.
“I think if we can get some facility improvement, then we can be able to make ourselves more marketable”, said Neal.
With plans on upcoming events and improvement of housing life, Neal said, “Were looking to implement new programs which include an energy conservation group, a RHA (Resident Hall Association), and more student programs like resident appreciation week.”
Also aside residential appreciation week, there are said to be plans of possible Karaoke night, Dodge ball tournament, and a possible kickball tournament.
Mr. Neal sends a message out to the students to improve on housing by saying to have better proper disposal of trash and to also notice the fliers that were put up in the department. He also sends out another message to the students saying to love your school and support your school.