Whoever said, “A little bit of rain never hurt anyone,” apparently did not work on the construction site that posed a major problem to the completion of University Village, UTM’s newest edition to on-campus apartment housing.

University Village was scheduled to be completed at the end of Summer, 2005, allowing students to become residents in the fall semester. However, there were initial problems that have significantly delayed its completion.

First, the state fire marshal had concerns with some design issues which had to be dealt with according to Tim Nipp, Construction Manager for UTM. Soon after the contract was finally awarded, University Village encountered its second major problem—rain. After a significant rainy period, the construction site became muddy. However, Searcy Construction of Union City, contractor for University Village, made numerous efforts to persevere through these problems.

Nipp said that Searcy Construction built gravel roads on the construction site in order for their equipment, as well as their employees, to continue working.

Nipp continued by saying that most contractors would have simply said that they could not work in these conditions; however, this was not the case for Searcy Construction. They continued to work diligently.

“They have kept fighting through this,” Nipp said. “They have kept focus on getting to the end.”

Of the five buildings, B Building is scheduled to be completed first with only minor punch list items to be completed. Directorof Housing Earl Wright is anticipating its completion by September 20 or close thereafter.

“It is hard to give a concrete date now,” Wright said in regard to the completion of the remaining four buildings.

Once B Building is completed, C, D, E and then A Buildings will follow.

Nipp said that C, D, and E Buildings are in various stages of completion; however, A Building poses as the most work with sheet rock still needing to be put up. Nipp hopes that there will not be a long time lag in the completion of each building and that the entire University Village will be completed before the beginning of next semester.

Although this delay could not have been prevented, several students were already planning to move into the apartments this fall.

Wright said that students were notified on July 25 that they would be staying rent-free in McCord Hall until their building in University Village is completed. He continued by saying, “We [Department of Housing] have attempted to meet some of the difficulties.”

This includes twin-size sheets, a $10 laundry card and a refrigerator/freezer/microwave combo being provided.

For some students, the change in living arrangements was not a big deal; however, for others, it was.

“I was upset because I have already lived in the dorm,” said Katie Lyn Besley, a sophomore from Lawrenceburg. “They kind of waited to the last minute to inform us about the situation.”

Wright said that general letters consisting of how the situation was being assisted were sent out prior to student arrival.

There was also concern from some students that the university informed them of the situation after the deadline purposefully to keep them from becoming a resident and receive a full refund.

In response to this, Wright said, “There was absolutely no attempt to bypass a deadline.” He continued by saying that the university honestly believed that University Village would be completed on time. He also said that the Department of Housing was more than willing to work with students. Freshman and sophomores, although they are not allowed to live off campus, had the option of switching to one of the other halls. The Department of Housing also worked with juniors and seniors if they wished to move off campus.

“It’s a disappointment, but I’m not upset. I’m really excited to leave McCord and go there [University Village],” said Kristen Pruitt, a freshman from Cordova.

While University Village is not yet complete, it still promises to provide students with outstanding living accommodations upon completion.

“Thank you,” Wright said to the future residents of University Village. “I know it has been stressful. However, this has been a wonderful example of UTM spirit from both students and parents.”