The resident assistants of Park Hall are ready for students to move into their rooms in the first new residence hall since the Johnson Complex opened in 1969.
The complex will be home to about 500 students and features double-occupancy rooms, semi-private bathrooms shared between seven or eight people, walk-in closets, a two-story social lounge, laundry facility with online access, a workout room and technology center. The hall also has a limited number of single occupancy rooms.
"We're excited to meet the residents and figure out what the atmosphere is going to be like and how it's going to compare to other dorms," Ruth Zeilinga, an RA at Park Hall, said. "We're going to be planning programs and encouraging students to get involved in their halls."
There are 10 RAs at Park Hall, concluding 5 past RAs and 5 first-timers.
"I think we all went into the selection process thinking we weren't going to get into Park because it was really competitive," RA Riley Steinmetz said.
The RAs said they were surprised and excited when they heard they would be working in Park Hall.
"Park Hall is like a really nice hotel, and that's how we're going to treat it," RA Bill Caulton said.
Caulton lived in Studebaker West Complex for his previous two years at Ball State. There are many reasons to like Park Hall more than other residence halls on campus, he said.
"I think what I like most about Park Hall, from the other dorms, is that they have bigger windows and the furniture is easier to rearrange because they are on wheels," he said. "The desk also breaks down into 3 pieces, which makes it easier to move."
There are also downfalls at Park Hall that the RAs noted. Problems could arise in dealing with safety issues and damage costs at the new hall.
"Because the hall is new, we're expecting a lot of visitors," one RA said. "We're hoping the residents look out for 'piggy-backing' and people that don't belong in their halls, for their own safety."
The RAs are also going to issue bathroom agreements along with room agreements between the residents. This practice is common, and is already being used in the other resident halls on campus.
"We want to make sure everything stays nice and clean," RA Drew Oliver, said. "We need them to respect their hall because damages are going to cost a lot more than they would in the older dorms."
The RAs said they are excited to be the first students living in the dorm, but are nervous to be watched by the rest of the campus.
"We just hope the students are also excited and ready to be involved with their halls," Steinmentz said.
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