Elon leadership tours new residential buildings

Top university leaders received Oct. 25 tours of Elon’s two newest residential options, which includes additions to the Colonnades neighborhood and buildings that expand Greek housing in the Loy Center.

Led by Niki Turley, assistant dean of students, members of the university’s senior staff walked through the Sigma Phi Epsilon and Delta Sigma Theta Inc. houses before visiting students who live in the William W. Staley Hall in the Colonnades.

Sophomores Malcolm Davis and Mark Inge occupy a suite on the second floor of Staley as part of the math and engineering community. Having lived in Virginia residence hall last year, the two friends say the new space offers plenty of features that make it an even better place to reside.

“There’s more space, and it’s brighter,” Davis said shortly after administrators stepped out of his suite. He and Inge share a common space and a bathroom, but each has his own bedroom.

Added Inge, “If you want to have friends over without intruding on a roommate, you can have them in the common area.”

Among the administrators on the tour were Vice President of Student Life Smith Jackson and Executive Vice President Gerald Whittington, whose division oversaw the construction of the new buildings.

Jackson paused for a moment as the group gathered in Staley to congratulate Whittington’s staff on the phenomenal additions to campus. The administrators called the projects “major accomplishments” for the university.

Elon is applying for LEED certification through the U.S. Green Building Council for the Colonnades additions and the five new Greek houses. The Council awards the internationally recognized benchmark for design, construction and operation of high-performance, environmentally friendly buildings.

The three new Colonnades residence halls and the Greek houses would join Lindner Hall and Alumni Field House on the list of Elon University facilities that have been noted for their sustainable designs and operations.