Algoma U move in day delayed

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

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Newest residence slightly behind schedule

SAULT STE. MARIE - Residence move-in day takes place this Saturday, but complications in utility hookups have delayed the opening of Algoma University's newest residence by two weeks.

The delay means that students slated to move in to the new residence on Saturday will be housed at a downtown hotel until September 15.

"Obviously this is an outcome that we worked hard to avoid," said Algoma University President Dr. Richard Myers. "Until quite recently, we were confident the building would be ready on September 1st. Unfortunately, we ran into some bad luck in connecting the utilities to the building which had a ripple effect on the construction timeline, and this will cause a short delay in the completion of the residence."

Myers notes that while this is not an ideal situation for either the University or its students, Algoma U staff are working hard to ensure that the needs of the students affected by this are met, and that they have everything they need to get off to a successful start at Algoma U.

"We couldn't have predicted this delay, or done anything to change the outcome," he said. "What we can do is ensure that our students know that we understand the inconvenience that this is causing them, and demonstrate that we are doing all that we can to make the best of this situation."

"The new residence is a beautiful facility and it's been quite a popular choice. We were planning for forty students in this first year of operation and we're going to have over sixty." 

Myers also noted that the project is being completed on budget "so that from a financial point of view, things look very good."

Life at the hotel will not be much different to life in the residence, said Director of Student Services, Tom Mauro.

"The same Residence Advisors and the Residence Don will be living there with them, and we will be chartering buses to get them to and from certain Frosh Week events," he said. "The same rules will apply, and the same activities will take place."

On top of that, students will be getting a bus pass to get to and from school, and credit at the Station Mall to help them with meals on weekends.

They will store larger items at the University, and University staff will move those into their rooms prior to their arrival on September 15.

All of this will be done at no additional cost to the students.

"We think we've got a solution that, while not ideal, will be as accommodating as possible for our students," said Mauro.

Any students scheduled to move into the new residence this weekend are asked to show up on campus first to drop off any items they won't need in the first fourteen days (TVs, fridges, winter clothing).

These will be stored on campus.

From there, students will be directed to the hotel, where they will move into their temporary accommodations.

Students moving into the Spirit Village Townhouses or Dormitory, or the Downtown Residence, will move in according to schedule on Saturday.

About Algoma University

Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in Psychology, Computer Science, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic and Social Development, and Biology in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton, Timmins and St. Thomas.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.

Algoma University has launched its Essential Elements Campaign to expand its campus and offer more scholarships and awards to students.

To learn more, visit www.algomau.ca.

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