Milton set for renovations, possibly in 2004
By Aaron Kokoruz
Staff Reporter

Future renovations for Milton Daniel Hall are still unclear, but it is the highest priority among residence halls, said Roger Fisher, director of residential services.

Fisher said the soonest anything in Milton Daniel would be renovated would be December of 2004.

“We have five dorms left we want to renovate, and Milton is at the top of that list,” Fisher said.

The other four dorms the university wants to renovate, in order, are Sherley Hall, Colby Hall, Clark Hall and Jarvis Hall, Fisher said.

“Milton renovations have been put on hold until we catch up with ourselves in terms of borrowed money from other construction projects around campus,” Fisher said.

Fisher said the university basically went from doing nothing to doing everything with the construction and renovations around campus.

George Ferguson, a Milton Daniel resident, said a renovation of Milton Daniel needs to happen soon.

“Milton is one of the worst things about our campus right now,” said Ferguson, sophomore international business major. “The bad thing is there is a lot of mildew around the dorm that can cause problems with the respiratory system.”

Milton Daniel currently has a capacity of 325. Fisher said when Milton Daniel is renovated the capacity will decrease to around 290.

When dorms are renovated capacity always decreases, because space is lost when changes like remodeling and adding new sprinklers and elevators are made to the building’s interior, Fisher said. Milton Daniel is structurally sound, but the major things that need to be done are new plumbing, heating, air conditioning and redecorating, he said.

Fisher said a time of year needs to be set aside to start renovating that is the least problematic for students, which would most likely be winter or summer break.

Fisher said the renovations of Milton Daniel could take anywhere from three to six months.

Fisher said after the renovations to Milton Daniel are completed, it is uncertain whether it will be co-ed or house fraternities.

John Walls, a junior advertising and public relations major, said even though he feels Clark definitely needs to be renovated, having Milton Daniel first on the list of the next dorm renovations is a good thing.

“Even though Clark has some problems and needs to be renovated, I think Milton Daniel is a lot worse off,” said Walls, former Clark Hall president.