On Sat., May. 17, 2013 Samuel Read Hall (also known as Hall Hall) will be closing its doors as an on-campus housing dormitory.
“We’re done after commencement, once we hit graduation we will move res life belongings,” said Associate of Residential Life, Dining, and Conference Services, Tom Weeks. Hall was built in 1921, and it is one of three original buildings on campus. Hall will be turned into an office space, as well as an academic building.
Hall is the smallest residence hall on campus, and it holds approximately 110 students. Currently Plymouth State Universities’ enrollment is down, and Samuel Reed Hall does not have full occupancy levels.
“It makes more sense to use a smaller building. It’s much more cost effective to have an occupancy level at 100 percent,” commented Weeks. Plymouth State can “easily cover students living here [Samuel Reed Hall] now in other spaces,” said Residence Director of Samuel Reed Hall, Kyle O’Neill.
Residential life and PSU will “save cost of maintaining a residence hall,” stated Weeks. The university will be able to use Hall’s history for appeal of academic purposes.
Weeks later said Hall can be “easily converted into an office space.” The University is currently unaware if they will have to hire new professors or staff members.
However, Plymouth State’s recent budget cuts “have been impacting everything on Campus,” said Weeks. Budget cuts will effect “how much they [PSU] can afford to do renovations” said Weeks. Hall’s closing will also lead to “a couple less job spaces, for five less student staff members,” said O’Neill.
Many students have found attachment to Hall Hall. “I’m sad that it wont be a dorm, but I’m sure they’ll make sure Hall a historic academic building,” said former Samuel Reed resident Drew Bergin. Bergin later commented on his favorite moments in Hall: “going down stairs in the rec hall, playing ping pong, and meeting my future roommates.”
The University is currently unaware of when the project will be completed.