THIBODAUX – Honoring the concerns of students and parents alike, Nicholls State University is nearing completion of $664,000 in renovations to the La Maison du Bayou on-campus apartment complex.
Nicholls purchased La Maison from Collegiate Housing Foundation in 2007 and immediately set to work on a variety of physical improvements, including the replacement of furniture and appliances, the re-flooring of every apartment in the complex and the transition from a fresh water pool to a salt water pool.
These and other improvements are slated for completion by June 2008.
“I am pleased with the progress,” said Dr. Stephen T. Hulbert, university president. “Nicholls is committed to providing a high standard of living for its on-campus residents, not only at La Maison but at all our residence halls.”
Indeed, the La Maison renovations comprise only a portion of the residential overhaul currently underway at Nicholls. Mike Davis, assistant vice president for administration, said three additional residence halls are currently under construction – a three-story, 202-bed facility for honors students across from the Galliano Hall Cafeteria and two facilities of equal capacity on the east side of campus, by Bowie Road. Upon completion of the new residence halls – all of which are slated to open prior to the Fall 2008 semester – Meade, Long, Millet and Zeringue residence halls will be demolished.
Extensive renovations are also scheduled for Calecas and Ellender halls, Davis said. Calecas will no longer be used solely as a residence hall but will become home to University Police, as well as overflow housing. In Ellender, the number of beds will be reduced from 307 to 150 to ensure more privacy in the rooms and to make sure no more than two students are assigned to a bathroom.
Hulbert said these efforts are all part of a larger initiative to recruit and retain students.
“For Nicholls to continue to attract top-quality students, a comfortable standard of on-campus living must be a priority. In our effort to maintain and strengthen that standard, we are indeed succeeding.”
