Although the construction for Maple Hall is “a bit behind” schedule, residence hall officials are still predicting the building’s renovation will be completed by the fall of 1999.

Randy Alexander, director of residence, said even though the renovation is currently behind schedule, it will not be a problem in the long run.

“Construction is a bit behind, but I am not too concerned,” Alexander said. “We are still predicting that Maple be completed by mid-July.”

Alexander said the delay could be attributed to a slow start.

“It usually takes a couple of weeks to get a project going — it takes time to get the process rolling,” he said. “The renovation should pick up speed as it goes along.”

Gary Schwartz, assistant director of residence, said progress has been made since official work began on July 1.

“The demolition on the inside of the building is complete, and, specifically, the damaged exterior panels are being fixed,” Schwartz said. “It is basically general construction-piping, wiring and putting in frames and walls.”

Alexander said meetings are still being held and discussions are taking place about “the New Maple.” Eventually, conclusions will be reached regarding details such as whether Maple will become co-ed.

“We have yet to decide on [co-ed living], but I think that it is leaning in that direction,” Alexander said.

Down from the previous number of 536 residents, the renovated Maple Hall will be able to house 488 ISU students, Alexander said.

“The reasons for the decrease in residents are the additions we are making to each floor,” he said.

Residence hall rooms will remain the same size, but several new facilities will be incorporated into the layout of Maple, Alexander said.

“Space will be needed for the study rooms on each floor, as well as a small computer lab,” he said. “In addition to these two rooms, a kitchen will be added on each floor.”

Plans for computer labs are underway, but due to inadequate funds, Maple will open with computers on every other floor, Alexander said. Eventually, all of the labs should contain computers.

“There will also be a multi-purpose room in the mezzanine area. It will be used for things such as speakers or meetings,” Alexander said.

Heating and cooling will be controlled from each room, and there will be two suites on each floor, he said.

“The students assigned to the 16 suites will probably be determined by seniority,” Alexander said.

Besides Maple Hall, halls such as Oak-Elm, Linden, Buchanan and Birch-Welch-Roberts will be renovated, Alexander said.

“We haven’t set a date for the other dorms because we are conducting a study to devise an approach. We want to take these projects on slowly,” Alexander said.

“We want to pay for the renovations out of our own budget vs. borrowing money, so we intend to take a slow approach” he said.

The funds will come from the “annual operating budget,” which is money provided for hall improvements and repairs, Alexander said.