Big changes made to student housing

By Bobby Childers
Now that students have returned for fall classes, Residence Life and Student Housing continue to make positive changes to their on-campus homes.  

"Lots of interior projects, combined with exterior landscaping initiatives, are virtually changing the face of student housing," said Patrick Call, director of Residence Life and Student Housing. 

Residence Life plans to spend $4.8 million this year to expand the quality and visual appeal of various residence hall facilities for students living on main and south campuses. The department plans to focus spending on building renovations and landscaping initiatives specifically selected to enhance life-safety and increase student satisfaction.

Over the summer, Residence Life and Student Housing completed various life-safety and infrastructure projects. $3 million dollars was spent to replace and repair outdated water lines and to install over 220 heating and air-conditioning units and ventilation systems in the Student Residence Center (SRC) apartments. Another $400,000 was invested in upgrading the fire safety and alarm systems in Santa Ana and Santa Clara halls.

Residence Life and Student Housing has budgeted $1.8 million to use on a variety of on-going visual improvement projects for UNM's residential community. "We want students to see the changes we are making with their own eyes" Call said. That's why nearly $500,000 was spent this summer on the interior demolition and modernization of thirty-six (36) SRC apartments. Another $160,000 went to upgrading wireless for laptops in Laguna/DeVargas, Santa Clara Hall and the La Posada Dining Facility. "However, probably the most visible project, hands-down," said Call, "has been the new comfortable furniture that we purchased and installed in various common areas throughout the Residence Halls."

Currently, the department is close to completion of several special projects focused on student satisfaction, comfort and convenience including; significant enhancements to Hokona Hall bathroom fixtures, faucets, counter-tops and sinks; new common study area carpet installation in Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Alvarado and Redondo Village Apartments; and new cherry and silver signs in front of residence halls on main and south campus.

Aside from significant renovations on main campus, an estimated $800,000 is being spent on recreational and safety improvements at the Student Family Housing complex on south campus including: upgrading the fire alarm enunciation system and stairwells, brand new roofs and the re-paving of the basketball courts and parking lot areas. "We even installed a shorter basketball goal for younger children," Call explained. "We want to make significant visual changes in our residence halls to better serve all of our residents and families."
Residence Life and Student Housing is in the middle of a major transformation. "By improving the quality of our facilities and by making them more visually appealing, we are actively serving and promoting student comfort and satisfaction. We want to increase student's academic achievement and retention to the university, Call says, "and we want students to be excited about living on campus."