By Julia Mericle
Staff Writer
The Board of Trustees of St. Bonaventure University has given approval to proceed with major renovations to Robinson and Falconio halls, as well as smaller upgrades to Devereux Hall.
Vice President Rick Trietley spoke about the upcoming project at the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting Tuesday, noting the decision for renovations was fueled by feedback from current students, as well as students accepted to St. Bonaventure who chose to attend different universities.
The project is estimated to cost a total of $7.5 million and will be debt funded, meaning that there will be no fundraising and the money will be borrowed. Trietley said by borrowing, money, the project can get off the ground more quickly, and the university will seek the most competitive loan possible.
Trietley acknowledged the project’s high cost, but he compared it to the expected amount of $25 million that would be needed to completely replace both Robinson Hall and Falconio Hall with new residence buildings.
The next steps in the plan will include finalizing the design concepts and creating marketing plans to advertise the renovations to prospective students. The project will begin immediately after commencement in May and is scheduled to be complete by Welcome Days in the 2014 fall semester.
Problems identified with the two freshmen residence halls included aging bathrooms, limited student gathering spaces, few entrances with student ID-card access, a lack of camera surveillance and an outdated appearance.
A committee, co-chaired by Nichole Gonzalez, executive director of residential living, and Phil Winger, associate vice president for facilities, explored design and construction options. They hosted student focus groups to gather input and ideas for the remodeling.
While making decisions, members of the committee focused on improving the student living and learning environment, draw attention to the safety of students and improve student enrollment and revenue generation.
The upgrades will include installation of several private bathrooms and shower rooms in each wing of each floor, improved lobby areas and lounges, new group study rooms on each floor, electronic card access, camera surveillance and elevators. Additionally, the mosaic tiling beneath windows in Robinson and Falconio will be removed.
Trietley said room prices in Robinson and Falconio would be raised about $200 per year to reflect the upgrades. Additionally each building will lose about 40 beds to account for the space needed for the renovations.
Students discussed the difference in residence life at St. Bonaventure in comparison to other schools.
“My twin sister goes to Syracuse University, and when I went to visit her I noticed they had private bathroom spaces in each wing, which really was significantly better than our bathrooms,” said Allison Field, freshman chemistry major and Falconio Hall resident
Other students suggested ideas to update the current residence halls. Benjamin Collins, a freshman business major and resident in Robinson Hall, said the laundry rooms are outdated in addition to the bathrooms.
“It seems like the Rob washers and dryers are always filled. If they added more washers and dryers it would be very beneficial,” Collins said.
The improvements to Devereux Hall, with an estimated price tag of $250,000, will include a more open lobby, complete with a fireplace and new RA office.
“Dev has a beautiful exterior and great history behind it, however I think most students would agree the interior could definitely use a spiffing here and there,” Elizabeth Dickinson, a junior psychology major and Devereux Hall resident, said. “It sounds like a great way to make Dev a bit more homey.”
Cannon Design, the same company that provided designs for the William E. and Ann L. Swan Business Center, as well as many other campus buildings, is developing the designs for the residence hall upgrades and architecture services.
Robinson and Falconio residence halls are set to appear similar to the Swan Center, mimicking its modern, open look, Trietley said.
In addition to the $7.5 million investment into the residence halls, the university on Thursday announced it would seek an additional $2.5 million for deferred maintenance projects.
The additional spending will go toward refurbishing the lobby and reading room at the Friedsam Memorial Library, Americans with Disability Act upgrades to the University Chapel, painting exterior window frames at Plassmann Hall and other repairs to roofing, concrete and mechanical equipment. Most of the updates are scheduled for completion ahead of the fall 2014 semester.
The university also said it received preliminary authorization for tax exemption from the Cattaraugus County Capital Resource Corp. as a step toward securing financing for the project.
mericlje13@bonaventure.edu
