The University’s $85.6 million capital project, which ran $23 million overbudget, is causing problems for students.
READ MORE: JDUC residents launch complaints about laundry and elevators, Resident Society President says
Despite being told by the University that the new, 90-room JDUC residence would be ready for partial occupancy on Aug. 26, the building remains incomplete, Jana Amer, vice-president of residence operations for the Residence Society (ResSoc), said in an interview with The Journal.
Amer and five other ResSoc representatives were placed in the Endaayaan – Tkanónsote residence until the building was ready. When Amer finally moved into the JDUC on Aug. 29, with first-year students arriving on Aug. 30 and 31, the common and laundry rooms remained closed, the elevators weren’t working, forcing residents to climb seven flights of stairs, and there were no garbage facilities.
Since then, the University added garbage bins to the fifth through seventh floors. However, waste continues to collect outside students’ rooms on the fourth floor.
The other half of the JDUC building, which was supposed to open in May and is set to house AMS services and offices, is still under construction. This means residents are greeted by the sound of drills as early as 7 a.m., Amer explained. Residents are also experiencing problems with ventilation and temperature.
READ MORE: JDUC opening postponed until November
Amer noted when ResSoc staff moved in, rooms were 30 degrees Celcius. The University advised students to set their thermostats to 10 degrees to prevent overheating, Amer added.
These disruptions are impacting students’ quality of life, Amer said. The absence of a common room hinders social experiences and prevents ResSoc from organizing events.
ResSoc staff have raised concerns to the University.
Amer hopes more students will speak up to the University, though she understands incoming students may still be learning how to advocate for themselves.
While the University is now more receptive and communicative to challenges residents face, Amer feels there could’ve been better guesses and communication earlier on in the year on the status of the JDUC.
Amer predicts JDUC residents’ grievances may not be addressed until the entire building opens on Nov. 29.
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