MANSFIELD - Phase one of a project to build two residence halls will be open and ready for students by mid-January, and returning spring semester students will be able to move in, said associate vice president for residence life Charles Colby Thursday at the last Mansfield University council of trustees meeting of 2011.
The first of the two halls, located where the former tennis courts once sat, will welcome students January 19-22, Colby said.
"We are looking very much forward to having the new housing on campus," Colby said.
The two buildings will be temporarily named Hickory and Oak until the university can decide on other names, said incoming interim president Allan Golden, who takes over for the departing Maravene Loeschke Jan. 1.
And according to Dr. Peter Keller, senior vice president for academic affairs, there will be students to fill the new halls, and then some.
"We are recruiting students aggressively and new applications are up 16 percent for the fall semester," Keller said. "It's good to be ahead on the number of applications," he added. The university has been struggling with student retention, and enrollment last fall was down.
Trustees also approved the demolition of three buildings on campus, Doane, Beecher House and Alumni House to make room for the second of the residence halls.
The old freshmen men's dormitory, Hemlock, also will be demolished, Golden added.
Beecher House is already vacant due to some "serious flooding," he said, and the TRIO offices have been relocated to the upstairs of Doane.
"We are looking at alternates sites for the offices in Alumni House, which also provides accommodations for alumni on a limited basis," Golden said.
In her report, Loeschke, who will depart the university after commencement ceremonies Saturday, said "It has been a privilege to serve here with all of you, and it has been a critical part of my life to be with these people who care about this university and never forget the students come first. It has been an absolute joy and I say goodbye with respect, gratitude and love."
In response, the trustees adopted a resolution recognizing Loeschke for her "five years of dedicated service" to Mansfield University.
Chairman Ralph Meyer read from the resolution, which praised Loeschke's tireless work to ensure that students are at the forefront at Mansfield University, among her other accomplishments, including her handling of the difficult financial challenges and remaining resolute in the face of criticism over some of her decisions.
In conclusion, the resolution read: "Therefore be it resolved on this 15th day of December 2011 that the Council of Trustees hereby expresses on behalf of the entire Mansfield campus community, its sincere appreciation to Dr. Maravene Loeschke and Dr. Richard Gillespie for their exemplary service and extraordinary contributions to Mansfield University and wish them well in their future endeavors."