Over the past year, there have been several concerns regarding flooding to the lower levels of Elam. After attempting to fix the known problems with no solution, it was realized by Service Operations this summer that more drastic measures needed to be taken.
It was decided that in order to correct the problem and still be able to use the basement level of Elam, that all of the original red dirt would need to be excavated from the inside of the courtyard and replaced. In addition, there will be some remodeling and cleaning of the parts of the basement that have been affected.
The basement cleaning and remodeling has been in the works since Quest Week. While there is no set completion date, Dean of Student Life, Dr. Sam Smith, said that the goal is to complete the project as soon as possible.
“The company’s going to have to come in and remove dirt and gravel from the courtyard. That’s going to be hopefully no more than a five day process,” Dr. Smith said.
On the other hand, the excavation process and remodeling of the courtyard is intended to take place over a proposed five day period beginning in two weeks and being completed by November 1.
In order to remove the dirt and gravel from the courtyard, a crane will have to be brought in as well as dumpsters and dump trucks. As a result, there is anticipation that some inconveniences may arise for residents of the building.
“There’s going to be an inconvenience in the Elam Circle, an inconvenience in closing of the Elam main entrance for a period of time, just for the sake of safety of residents while the crane is here,” Smith said. “And the noise will be an inconvenience as well.”
In an attempt to notice the inconveniences this will place on the girls, Student Life has worked alongside the Elam RA team to create several surprises and incentives for the hall.
“I hadn’t expected that the University would want to give incentives for the construction going on in the courtyard,” junior family science major and Elam RA, Emma Dryden, said. “I thought it was just part of living on campus and taking care of the other people who use the building.”
She added that it’s been a unique experience getting to be a part of the process with Student Life on showing the Elam residents that the University cares about them.
While specifics on the incentives have not been announced to the girls yet, most appear to be looking forward to them. Elam resident and entrepreneurship major Lily Hall mentioned that she is anticipating the incentives, helping in the process of the girls being woken up early due to construction.
During the excavation of the dirt and gravel, the crane will have to extend over the top of the building in order to most effectively take it out. With that comes some thoughts regarding safety of those in the building.
“We are taking every safety precaution possible,” Smith said. “We’re not only mandated to do that, but we want to do that. Our top priority is not the new Elam courtyard or fixing the leak; our top priority are our residents living in the building.”
The University has also decided to renovate the courtyard during this process. The plan behind the renovations is that the ladies of Elam will be able to utilize the new space in ways that they couldn’t before.
“I hope the girls get really excited about a space that they aren’t able to use right now is about to blow up and be a space that they are going to be really excited about using,” Smith said.
Dryden said she is mainly looking forward to the new space the renovated courtyard will provide for the residents.
“When I think about the courtyard renovations, I’m most excited about the community we will be able to cultivate because of it,” Dryden said. “It’ll be another fun space just for Elam residents to hang out.”
Video package by Erin Franklin and Quinn Gorte