Renovations in Studebaker East won't be complete in time for students who were assigned to the residence hall to move in this fall.
Ball State officials announced Tuesday that the contractor was supposed to turn the building over to the university on March 31, but it has yet to do so and is still working to complete renovations.
"Every major construction project is inherently complex and will have unforeseen challenges - including delays," said Tony Proudfoot, associate vice president for Marketing and Communications, via email. "However, it is the contractor's responsibility to manage the project, overcome those challenges and deliver the job on time."
Proudfoot said when officials noticed the renovations were behind schedule, they hoped the contractor would modify its work plan by adding shifts and hiring more sub-contractors. The university also worked on developing plans to place students in case the projected wouldn't be completed on time.
It's the first time a construction project on campus - residence hall or otherwise - hasn't been completed as scheduled.
With move-in less than two months away, the university decided there wasn't enough time to prepare the hall. Approximately 180 students and 200 incoming students will be affected.
The university sent letters to students assigned to Studebaker East explaining their room assignment options.
Students have until July 13 to sign up for a room in a different hall, which will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. They'll have to stay there for the full-academic year and pay the rate for whichever hall they choose.
Students' other option is to move to Botsford/Swinford halls for the Fall Semester and accept a lower rate. They'll then move to Studebaker East for the Spring Semester once renovations are complete. Botsford/Swinford Hall must be vacated by the end of 2012 so renovations on the building can begin in January 2013.
The university will assist students to move from Botsford/Swinford to move to Studebaker East by providing free moving boxes and movers to move students' packed belongings by appointment. The university is still working on logistics to how and when students can set up appointments, but Proudfoot assured students won't have to take all their belongings home over Winter Break.
"Our priority is our students," Kay Bales, vice president for Student Affairs, said in a press release. "This is obviously not the outcome we wanted, but we are doing all we can to diminish the inconvenience, increase options and make the logistics of a mid-year move as smooth as possible. We are excited about the renovated Studebaker East, and I'm confident that when the students arrive, they will be as well."
Proudfoot said it's too early to tell how much money will be associated with the construction delay, but preparing Botsford/Swinford, overtime for housing employees when they will eventually prepare Studebaker East, assisting students with moving and moving materials will cost money. The university will also lose revenue from lower room rates.
But the university's contract calls for the contractor to pay the Ball State liquidated damages $5,000 per day if substantial completion of the building isn't on time, Proudfoot said. The university will continue to have that contractual provision, as well as others, in future projects to protect the university.
Ball State will also continue to have contingency plans in future projects to ensure it can provide services to students.
"Our first priority now is communicating with students so they can make decisions about their room assignment," he said.
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