For the first time since its construction in 1970, Barbee Hall is set to undergo renovation.

The renovation is scheduled to begin in spring 2007. As a result of said renovation, current Barbee residents will be reassigned to other dorms or asked to find other housing.

Barbee is occupied by freshmen, transfer and returning students. However, the department of housing and residence life has determined that the reassigning of freshmen will take priority.

“Being that the freshmen students are new to A&T, we are committed to accommodating them and making sure that their needs are met,” said Leonard Jones, director of housing and residence life.

Jones addressed claims that housing and residence life never intended to help current Barbee residents.

“No students were assigned to Barbee who did not agree to stay there,” he said, “we (housing department) had informed students and parents in advance that the dorm would be closing down after this semester.”

On Sept. 6, the housing and residence life staff held separate meetings in the Barbee hall lobby for returning and freshmen residents. The meetings were held to address the issue of reassignments and inform them of the necessary process to obtain new housing for the spring.

During the meetings, Assignment Coordinator Jermaine Floyd, stated that there will be enough space on campus to accommodate all students currently residing in Barbee.

“Students will be allowed to reside in any dorm, with the exception of AggieTerrace and Riverwalk,” Floyd said .

Floyd explained that for the first part of the process, every student had to report to the housing assignment office in Aggie Village 2 by appointment.

Appointments were based on the date the students applied for housing during the summer. June and July applicants were allowed to report on Sept. 7, and August applicants, on Sept. 8.

Prior to moving, students will have to pay any additional charges, based on the residence they choose. Any student who fails to pay the charges, will not be allowed to move in.

“Students who do not have the sufficient funds will be able to apply for additional financial aid. It is their responsibility to come up with the money,” said Frieda McKie, treasury office assistant.

Floyd said that it would not be wise for students who are tight on funds to choose one of the newer dorms. The estimated cost per semester in Barbee is $1,478.

Moving into an older dorm, such as Vanstory, Cooper, Curtis, Morrison, Morrow, Holland and Haley halls, would result in a charge of an extra $100 for the semester. However, moving into one of the newer dorms like Aggie Village, Aggie Suites or Pride Hall, would result in an estimated $900 price difference.

Students who do not apply early may not be accommodated. If they are not accommodated, they will be forced to find off-campus housing.

Fred Stocks, assistant director of facilities, will be lending his services to any student who requires assistance moving their things from one dorm to another.

Housing and residence life staff is convinced that they are doing the right thing and they aredetermined to make it work.

“We are not going to rest until every student in Barbee is taken care of,” said Jones.

A Barbee resident who wanted their identity undisclosed, seems to support thedecision.

“I think that what they did was smart. Since the dorm is not being torn down yet,why not use it? That way, at least the people that are enrolled for this semester have a place to stay.”

• Jeuron Dove