Written by Caitlin N Caldwell
Renovations to Sears Hall are underway, and officials predict the freshman women’s dormitory will be ready for students when they arrive in August.
“The students get here on August 23rd, and we should be done no later than the 21st of August. It will be right up to the wire,” said Danny DeRamus, director of physical resources. Instead of hiring a contractor, the university is using its own physical resources department to complete the renovations.
Construction was scheduled to begin last spring, but officials delayed the project because of the economy, according to Mel Sansom, vice president for finance.
“For the last 10 years we have been planning on this,” Sansom said. “Renovations are so important for the students, and we feel good about our financial conditions. With pitched roofs, columns out front, new window units and brick, (the renovated Sears Hall) will look sharp.”
According to Harding University’s website, Sears Hall was built in 1975. The renovation project will cost about $4.5 million, Sansom said.
Although renovations are now in full swing, the physical resources department has been working on Sears Hall since September.
“We have built a machine room in the courtyard behind Sears and have cut all the cabinets for the new rooms,” DeRamus said.
Renovation plans include building a laundry facility on every floor, installing an elevator and enlarging the Residence Life Coordinator’s apartment, according to DeRamus. Furthermore, Sears Hall will house four more women after the renovation.
“From our perspective, the thing that needed the most updating is the air conditioning units, and from the girls’ perspective, the showers will be a whole lot better,” DeRamus said.
Freshman Anna Grace Chandler, a resident of Sears, said she is glad the university in renovating the dorm, but she has one complaint.
“I wish they could do (the renovations) without being so loud,” she said.
According to DeRamus, Stephens and Allen halls are the next dorms to receive facelifts.
“We can’t say for sure yet which will come first, but they both need it pretty bad,” he said.
