Department of Residence officials say improvements at university student apartments will come when the state Board of Regents approves new allocations.

Plans include taking several buildings to remodel, adding space and amenities.

John Shertzer, residence life coordinator, said he feels university family housing offers students a good location, a strong sense of community and affordability. The main goal for the University Student Apartment Council is to provide residents with a community center, to improve the area and add convenience, he said.

Recent improvements to the apartments at University Village include air conditioning, and plans are underway to bring air conditioning to Schilletter.

One Schilletter family faced a carbon monoxide scare during semester break.

After smelling natural gas in a closet, Jeremias and Laura Sauceda phoned and asked maintenance staff to investigate and fix the leaks, which was done.

Laura, sophomore in architecture, was skeptical all the leaks had been patched. She placed a carbon monoxide detector in the closet and closed the door tightly. Around 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 25, the detector went off.

Jeremias went in the bedroom and opened the closet. A rush of gas flooded out of the closet and Jeremias immediately called the fire department. When firefighters arrived, they took readings of the carbon monoxide in the apartment. The level in the apartment had reached nine, which is toxic.

“When the fire department came they told us to evacuate immediately,” Jeremias said.

After the incident, Jeremias posted fliers around Schilletter Village telling the story. He said he wanted to make other residents aware of the situation.

“[The gas leak] is the first thing in a long time that has been a big issue,” Shertzer said.

Residents should not be alarmed, said Shertzer. He said any student who has concerns should let the department of residence know as soon as possible.

Lack of money being spent for needed renovations at Schilletter Village is causing residents to feel neglected by the university, said Julie Pulczinski, Government of the Student Body University Student Apartment Council senator.

The apartment council did not have a GSB senator until recently. Pulczinski, junior in political science, took the job in June.

“With other student voices we can bind together and be heard,” Pulczinski said.

Pulczinski has been living in Schilletter Village and said she has encountered few problems with maintenance. However, she said ,she is tired of watching ISU apartment residents’ dollars not support the community.

“I don’t understand why money is not being spent to fix our homes,” Pulczinski said. “Why are they focusing on other students?”