Housing Discusses Earp Hall Closure, Other Changes

As the semester has progressed, students at Edinboro University have experienced housing changes and can expect more in the near future.

Director of Residence Life and Housing Amy Franklin-Craft shared recent talks regarding Earp Hall and student populations.

Citing a declining population, buildings not being to capacity and the cost of running residence halls, she explained, “Right now what we’re discussing is: Does it make sense for us to retain Earp Hall next year based on occupancy numbers?”

Franklin-Craft said the housing department would look to close Earp Hall instead of Rose Hall, the other traditional and non-Highlands housing option, because Rose’s first floor is designed to be handicap accessible. Rose Hall also qualifies over Earp Hall due to its current reconstruction, and its capability to hold more students than Earp Hall.

“We haven’t made the final determination yet, even though we’re starting our housing sign-up process on Monday [Feb. 29], but I’m moving concurrently with a plan A and a plan B,” Franklin-Craft said.

The honors community is one group which would move next semester if Earp Hall were to close. The group will be choosing between the third and fourth floor of Rose Hall or Highlands 8, according to Franklin-Craft.

In addition to the possible elimination of Earp Hall, students can expect various other housing changes next semester, including the addition of the Fredrick Douglass Social Justice Community in Highlands 6, which is geared towards students who are “interested in effecting social change.”

With numerous changes occurring, there are some housing features remaining the same next semester. Highlands 2 will continue to serve as the first year experience building, and the on-campus, four-semester contract for all housing options will remain in effect.

For more information on housing, visit the Residence Life and Housing office on the second floor of the Frank G. Pogue Student Center and watch for a housing update in The Spectator this semester.

Macala Leigey is the News Editor for The Spectator and she can be reached at eupnews.spectator@gmail.com.

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