O’Leary Residence Hall has been closed this semester due to maintenance needs. The dorm housed 39 residents who have since been moved to New Hall and Skip’s Place. Kevin Abel, Vice President of Student Affairs, made the announcement in person on Nov. 28, the week before exams, during a meeting with O’Leary residents.
Residents were told they would continue to pay the low O’Leary rate in their new dorm rooms. They were given an extended move out period of 48 hours as compared to the normal 24. Holly Banning, Director of Residence Life and Community Standards, stated that this was a perfect time to make the needed repairs for there was, “adequate space for the students in other areas of campus”. She noted that students reacted generally well to the news, but that many “asked a variety of questions regarding re-location logistics and pricing”.
Former O’Leary resident, Grace Gundlach, recalled that her RA stated the repairs included fixing the 3rd floor plumbing and addressing a mold problem. Gundlach was disappointed at first. “My roommate and I had made our room into our home, so we were not excited about moving”, she said. Although, Gundlach did say that she felt the news was delivered to her in a very positive manner and that the Resident Advisors were “very helpful in answering questions and adjusting to the move.”
O’Leary was loved by many for the affordability and large room sizes. Gundlach described it as “comfortable and homey”. “I loved how the building felt lived in,” she said. There is no information on when the hall will reopen, but the dorm will clearly be missed by many this semester.