Seton Hill University (SHU) may be continuing its expansion as it builds into the Greensburg community. Now that SHU has constructed the Performing Arts Center (SHUPAC), there is some talk among students and faculty about adding an apartment building close to SHUPAC.
By Sarah Last
Head Copy Editor
Seton Hill University (SHU) may be continuing its expansion as it builds into the Greensburg community. Now that SHU has constructed the Performing Arts Center (SHUPAC), there is some talk among students and faculty about adding an apartment building close to SHUPAC.
On April 22, administration members from Residence Life came down to SHUPAC to hear what the performing arts majors had to say about the possibility of a new apartment building for SHU students. Though it would be a few years before SHU made any decisions about the proposed student apartments, the meeting was held to get the students’ opinions on the matter.
Many of the students at the meeting agreed that having an apartment-style living space would be more accommodating and practical than making the space into another dormitory. Another issue discussed between faculty and students was the decision on who would live there.
Dr. Robin Anke, Associate Dean of Student Services and Director of Residence Life, stated that she did not feel freshmen students should live in the apartments because it is important for them to live on campus their first year to get adjusted to the campus.
She also said living on campus would allow freshmen to have the opportunities to meet students outside of the performing arts curriculum.
Some students suggested that only juniors and seniors should live in the apartments. Others debated that student selection should not be so exclusive as far as class, but should allow students who need to be close to SHUPAC to get the first rooms available.
Though the apartment would make accessing the PAC building easier for performing arts majors, Dr. Anke stated that living in the apartment would cost students more than traditional campus housing.
“I thought they [students] had great ideas,” Anke said “Having residence halls downtown would be a great idea for students and for the Greensburg community. The student input is critical because they know more about what would be suitable to them than I would.”
The Greensburg Community Development Corporation decided to renovate the apartments to be used for possible future student housing. Jackie Johns, an off campus student, works in one of the offices in charge of renovating the apartments.
“I think it’s a wonderful way to expand Seton Hill into the community. It will help diversify the campus and grow into a wider community.” As an intern in the corporation, Johns helps promote properties and match people with an apartment of their choice.
John Felice, an apartment developer in Greensburg, endorses the apartments.
“They’re the nicest student apartments,” he said eagerly. [The building] has been completely refurbished from the inside out.”
When asked why this particular building was chosen, Felice said:
“It has a solid history to it; it’s very historic to Greensburg. It was originally the Cope Hotel and it fell into disrepair. (since its refurbishing) people have come in and have seen all of the progress made in this building. (The city of Greensburg) is willing to devote it exclusively to student use. It is in the best commercial location; Seton Hill’s shuttle drives by it almost every fifteen minutes. The turret that is on the building of Seton Hill’s new performing arts center copies the turret that was originally on the hotel.”
Each room has two bedrooms with separate bathrooms, Wi-Fi and coin-operated laundry. The rooms are also totally furnished with everything from microwaves to dishwashers along with having its own water heater. Two students will be able to split one apartment; each would have a room and a bathroom and would have to split the cost of the electricity. The expense for each student to live there would be around $600.
Anyone residing in the apartments would have a security key to get into the building and an intercom system that has been installed for visitors.
The building has heating, plumbing, air conditioning and the rooms are all carpeted. Located in the center of the town it is ten minutes from the local hospital, two blocks down from SHUPAC and a couple of blocks from the university’s main campus.