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Residents of Martin Hall,

It is an exciting time to be at Eastern Kentucky University.  President Michael T. Benson is leading the University in a revitalization of campus that will enhance the student experience.  The success of our students is in the forefront of every decision we make related to rebuilding or enhancing our facilities.

EKU is implementing an aggressive timeline in order to have new housing for residents by Fall 2017. The first phase of the process is to raze Martin Hall.  The work will begin in February 2016. University Housing is developing a plan to relocate all students currently living in Martin Hall.  We will make the transition as seamless as possible. An exact plan of action will be communicated as details are finalized. Transparency is a cornerstone of our action plan as we move forward together. We will continue to communicate with you openly through each phase of this process. 

At this point in the process, our priorities are as follows:

• Every affected student will have a place to live.
• Every affected student will retain the Martin Hall price point for the remainder of the year.
• Martin Hall residents will have first priority for housing in the new residence hall to be completed in Fall 2017.

Residents who choose to be proactive in finding a permanent space on campus are encouraged to participate in room changes September 8th-14th with the rest of the campus community.  This will not be the only opportunity for Martin Hall students to move. However, it is the earliest time for students to find a permanent assignment in another residence hall.  If you do not submit a room change request all remaining Martin Hall residents will be placed in housing assignments in January.

We have created a Question and Answer page at ekubuilds.eku.edu/martinhall to address the questions we believe will be most common. Housing will continue to update the page as more details become available and staff will be available to provide information and assistance throughout the moving process.

Again, we are committed to your success and will work diligently to provide a smooth transition.

Martin Hall FAQ

When will I have to move?
Martin Hall is scheduled for demolition in February 2016.  All students must be moved by February 1st. Residents who choose to be proactive in finding a permanent space on campus are encouraged to participate in room changes September 8th-14th. If you do not submit a room change request all remaining Martin Hall residents will be placed in housing assignments in January 2016.

When can I move?
Martin Hall residents can start moving into open spaces on campus when room changes begin on September 8th 2015.  Permanent housing assignments for all remaining Martin Hall residents will be made in January 2016.

Where will I have to move?
Martin Hall residents will be able to move into any open space in any residence hall where they are eligible for residency. Priority will be given to Martin Hall residents once consolidation is complete in September 2015.

Will I be able to live in the new residence hall?
Residents of Martin Hall will be given first priority for housing placements in the new residence hall when it is completed in Fall 2017.

What if there isn’t room?
EKU Housing will provide an assignment for all Martin Hall residents.

Will I have to pay the higher residence hall rate?
No, Martin Hall residents will stay at the Martin Hall price point for the remainder of the academic year.

Will I have help moving?
We want to make this a smooth transition and housing will organize volunteers to help move students’ belongings.  Students will also be able to check out dollies to assist in the moving process.

Will I get to stay with my roommate?
Housing is making every effort possible to consolidate students when full rooms open up (priority will be given to Martin Hall residents), however we cannot guarantee roommates will be able to stay together.

Can I be released from my Housing Contract?
Because we will be placing you into a comparable or upgraded residence hall we will not need to release residents from their housing contract.

What will happen to the staff positions at Martin Hall? 
Martin Hall staff will remain EKU Housing staff members with the same benefits. The details on staff reassignments are still being determined but they will continue to have employment with EKU Housing. 

Why do students need to move during the academic year?
Academic success of our students is always our number one concern at EKU. Martin Hall residents are not required to move during the fall semester. Martin Hall residents will have a number of options and opportunities to relocate now through February 1, 2016. If residents choose not to request a room change, EKU Housing will assign placements for those Martin Hall residents in January 2016. Residents will be required to move to their assigned rooms by February 2016. To learn more about the room change request process please visit https://housing.eku.edu/insidelook/fall-2015-room-changes

Why does the construction have to begin during the academic year? 
EKU is working with a master planner who is leading the campus revitalization. The residence hall plan calls for a new residence hall to be constructed and ready for opening in Fall 2017. To meet this deadline the developer determined the site preparations and construction would need to begin no later than February 2016. 

Why were students allowed to move into Martin Hall when there were already plans to raze the building? Why did we not know about this earlier? 
Working with the master planner for the EKU campus revitalization initiative, developers determined in early September 2015 that Martin Hall should be the first phase of planned residential housing upgrades. To ensure transparency about information concerning the campus revitalization, Martin Hall residents were notified.  Fall 2015 housing assignments were made beginning in January of 2015 through August 2015 before building plans had been finalized. To learn more about the room change request process please visit https://housing.eku.edu/insidelook/fall-2015-room-changes.