ALABAMA STATE EDITION
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A Supplement to:
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March 1 2017
Vol. XXX • No. 5
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Record-Breaking Enrollment Drives New Project
A multi-million dollar residence hall that will serve students for decades to come is taking shape at Alabama A&M University in northern Huntsville. The ongoing construction is in response to overcrowding concerns. “We have experienced tremendous growth in enrollment over the past five years,” said Dr. Gary Crosby, interim vice president for student affairs. “In fall of 2016, we welcomed over 1,600 first-year, first-time students to Alabama A&M University. As a result of record-breaking enrollment, there is more of a demand for housing.” Crosby said work on the highly anticipated structure includes input from those who will reside in the new quarters. “Our students are involved in the interior design process, so this is a very exciting time for them,” Crosby said. “They are looking forward to living and learning in a state-of-theart facility.” For university president Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., the proj-
By Cindy Riley
ect comes at just the right time. “Alabama A&M University is growing, and becoming the institution of choice as supported by our enrollment numbers. Now is a good time to build, because students are making choices as consumers. They are shopping for the best —including living facilities. A new residential facility allows the university to remain competitive with similar institutions,” said Hugine. “It’s very rewarding to see this project underway, as it is directly related to the university’s 2015-2025 strategic plan, Into the Future. This project shows Alabama A&M University’s commitment to providing students with the very best, from academics to facilities.” Work is expected to be complete by mid to late November 2017. In August, 2016, Alabama A&M University broke ground on the new building, which will reportedly feature a complete building automation system that will monitor occupancy through motion censors, reducing the amount of energy used through HVAC in unoccupied rooms. There also will be lighting motion sensors in hall-
Site work on the new residence hall began in early July, with the building package commencing in mid-October.
CEG CORRESPONDENT
Alabama A&M photo
ways and rooms for lights to dim when not in use. According to Brian Shipp, the school’s director of facilities and administrative services, the project is not without its share of difficulties. “Schedule is a big challenge, because this space is critical to housing new students at the beginning of the next semester. Not making schedule requires space to be found for temporary housing. “Schedule management and quality management are key to successful projects. Making sure deadlines are met and that work is done right the first time always impacts the success or failure of the job.” Completing the building’s storm shelter is another concern. “This space is not used often, but when it is, you want it to be able to do its job,” said Shipp. “The materials and design that go into this space are critical to ensure it is built to last and survive possible weather events. It is also critical to the schedule, as it must be complete before work can go see UNIVERSITY page 6