Major changes have taken effect in the Aggie Village residence

halls this past summer.  When students returned for the fall

semester Housing and Residence Life had changed six out of the 12

small study rooms that were available into offices for their

staff.

Major changes have taken effect in the Aggie Village residence halls this past summer.  When students returned for the fall semester Housing and Residence Life had changed six out of the 12 small study rooms that were available into offices for their staff.

The majority of the residents are unaware of why this change was made, but they are upset about the whole ordeal.

“Taking away our study rooms is taking away our right to be academically excellent,” said Trevor Sanders of San Bernardino, CA, a mechanical engineering student who resides in McNeil Hall.

“For a school dedicated to retention rates and academic excellence it was selfish and unnecessary to take away valuable study rooms for students. 

It was a convenience to students especially during midterms and finals to have these rooms. I think A&T should’ve consulted the student body before making that decision,” expressed Nina-Simone Mckeever, a senior nursing student from Bronx, NY who currently lives in Blair Hall.

“This major change was initiated during the summer and was intended to resolve problems with on campus housing,” explained Linda D. Inman, Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life. 

According to Inman, the change was made in order to provide more living space in Morrow Hall  where there offices used to be.  Usually at the beginning of each year, numerous students are directed to hotels to stay in temporarily due to limited housing.  Another problem is that some residence halls do not have air conditioning.

Inman made the decision to move the offices out of Morrow Hall to provide more air-conditioned rooms for residents.  By moving the offices to the Village, 16 beds in air-conditioned rooms are now available in Morrow.

“I consulted with the rest of the housing staff to help find a location for our offices,” said Inman.  There were several reasons why Aggie Village study rooms were targeted.  The housing staff recognized that the study rooms were not being utilized with high activity.  They are currently still monitoring the study rooms that still remain to see if this fact still holds true.

The staff also felt that the offices new location would allow for more community interaction.  The villages were intended to be a student center so they hope this will bring more of communal relationship with the on campus residents.  The central locality of the Villages also helped with their decision as students do not have to travel very far to reach them.

Inman also offered additional words for the students, “If you need more spaces to study or somewhere for a group meeting please contact me. We will find you a room.”  She even offered her own office if necessary.

• Michele Delgado, Contributor