SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Some Missouri State University students will be housed in hotels when the semester begins next month due to a $13 million renovation of a residence hall taking longer than expected.
University officials say around 100 of the estimated 265 students who planned to live in the Sunvilla Tower residence hall won't be able to move in until mid-September, the Springfield News-Leader (http://sgfnow.co/1LUXoNG) reported.
Students living on floors 3-9 will be housed in hotels for up to a month, and those living on floors 10-19 will be able to move on Aug. 10 as scheduled. Classes start Aug. 17 for the fall semester.
"We contacted each resident who has been assigned to a room in floors 3-9," said Gary Stewart, director of residence life, housing and dining services. "They were like 'OK.' They'll roll with it. They appreciated the advance notice."
The university plans to spend around $200,000 to provide shuttles between the hotels to the campus, and offer other incentives and financial breaks for the inconvenience. The money will come from an emergency residential life fund.
"Our goal is to make it as convenient as possible for the students while working hard to get them moved into Sunvilla as quickly as possible," said Suzanne Shaw, vice president of marketing and communications.
Stewart said crews worked "top to bottom" on renovating Sunvilla and that it became apparent in recent weeks that the lower floors wouldn't be ready.
"Anytime you remodel or renovate, there are things that are unknown," he said.
School officials have asked displaced students to bring only what they need to live in the hotel until they can move into Sunvilla.