After being closed for a semester, Ramsey Hall will be reopening in the fall of 2005, with about $1 million spent to bring the building up to code. Students will be allowed to sign up to live in Ramsey Hall for Room Rampage, taking place in March. Last year during Room Rampage, living in Ramsey for the 2004-05 school year was not an option for students.In order to bring Ramsey up to code, necessary changes are being made in Ramsey Hall for incoming students who will be moving in this fall. These changes are necessary to bring Ramsey up to code. Peter Galloway, director of Housing Services here at West Chester University said, “A fire alarm upgrade is being worked on. Sprinklers are currently being installed in Ramsey and in Goshen Halls.” This is a requirement from the State Board of Higher Education and it is a rule for all of the 14 state schools in Pennsylvania. The fire alarm upgrade system is expected to be done in a few weeks.
Galloway also said that later in the semester new carpeting will be put in and painting will be done. Previously all the residence halls had electrical services done and since Ramsey will be reopen-ing, the same electrical changes will be made.
Galloway also mentioned that eventually more electrical outlets will be put in. More outlets were already added in Goshen and this is being worked on in Tyson Hall. In addition to all of this upgrading, Ramsey will be generally cleaned up for the incoming students.
Ramsey was the residence hall chosen to be closed this year because of University Hall, The Village, and West Chester Commons opening in July and August of 2004. All of the resident halls needed to be filled with students, so it was decided that Ramsey would no longer house residents. This past fall semester,students who were waiting to move into The Village stayed in Ramsey until their apartments were ready. Right now there is no one living in the building.
Galloway said that Ramsey will most likely house summer camps and conferences this upcoming summer. He predicts that mostly incoming freshman will be moving in to Ramsey at the end of August. He does not expect to have many people sign up to live in Ramsey during Room Rampage next month.
A former Ramsey hall resident, Khristina Renninger was excited to hear that Ramsey is reopening in the fall. Renninger stated, “I think it?s great that Ramsey will be open again. I lived in Ramsey for two years and I had an awesome time living there. It is good to know that new freshman will have that same chance that I did.