One hundred spots left in new residence hall

The+new+residence+hall%2C+overlooked+by+Grant+North%2C+nears+completion.%0A

The new residence hall, overlooked by Grant North, nears completion.

By Lauren Dielman

Students who wish to sign up for housing at the new residence hall should act fast.

As of Monday, only 100 spots are left for students in the 1,000 bed facility, said Brandi Hephner LaBanc, associate vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. Hephner LaBanc said she learned of the spots open from Michael Stang, executive director for housing and dining.

“The number of spots taken by students fluctuates daily,” said Hephner LaBanc.

Hephner LaBanc said the unnamed residence hall near Lincoln Hall will be ready to house students by this August.

The residence hall is open to new and returning students and a certain amount of space will be given to those involved in University Honors and athletics, said Hephner LaBanc.

Christopher Jones, associate vice provost for the University Honors Program, said the Honors house was given 200 beds within the residence hall.

“Students who are a part of University Honors living-learning community will be grouped together in one of the two buildings in clusters of 12 on certain designated floors,” Jones said.

Jones said there is still some space for honors students to join the new residence hall.

“However, business has been brisk,” Jones said. “Thus, we are encouraging our incoming, first-year students, as well as any continuing honors students who are interested but who have not acted, to sign up very soon.”

Jones said first-year students are generally the largest academic class within the University Honors house, and many incoming students and their families expressed interest in the new residence hall.

“Thus, the new facility has become an important recruiting tool for us,” Jones said.

Jones said he recently went with a group of colleagues to take a tour of the buildings under construction and what they saw was impressive.

“When it is completed, the new residence complex is going to be an outstanding addition to the NIU campus,” Jones said. “The staff of the University Honors program and many of our students are very excited about this development.”