Co-written/produced with Tyler Davis.
Western Carolina University’s newest dorm, Levern Hamlin Allen Hall, is almost finished. The new residence hall is projected to be completed and have its first tenants in the fall of 2019. The Levern Hamlin Allen Hall is between Judaculla and Brown.
In the summer of 1957, Levern Allen was the first African-American student to attend not only WCU but any North Carolina college. That was the year of the Brown vs. Board ruling, which notably outlawed racial segregation in schools.
The five-story, 170,000-square-foot residence hall named in her honor will be home to 614 students.
Hear the short interview with Bryant Barnett, executive director of WCU Residential Living, who provided more information on the new dorm.
Without a doubt, this new addition will have an effect on campus life.
Campus Dining
Brown Hall. Photo by Tyler Davis.
As students know, the campus dining experience during lunch and dinner can be very hectic, especially if you’re in a rush between classes. With this new residence hall on the upper campus, increased traffic is expected to occur at Brown Hall.
Scott Lamond, resident district manager for Aramark, claims they have been preparing for the possible increase of traffic, but also says it may not be as bad as one would think due to people naturally going to Courtyard Dining Hall because of its proximity to classes. Nevertheless, multiple changes will be occurring within the next year concerning campus dining including the addition of a food truck.
“Currently we are examining locations that will work for exact placement due to the size of the truck, utility needs and level ground it requires to operate. Generally speaking, the truck will be operating during breakfast and lunch at various locations across campus. Our goal is to have it fully functional by the end summer of 2019. The truck will also be available to rent for special events in the evening and on weekends,” Lamond explained.
He also noted that students will be notified of any future changes that occur at upper campus dining locations and will officially be announcing one specific change very soon.
“As we finalize details for these three locations, our plan is to keep all students updated on any changes. There is a strong probability that The Lodge at Brown will be open for breakfast next year as well,” said Lamond.
Parking
While the parking deck being built near the baseball field will be for commuters only, residents can be happy knowing new lots for them will be constructed soon.
Executive Director of Residential Living, Bryant Barnett. Photo by Yustin Riopko.
Bryant Barnett, executive director of residential living, noted that Allen Hall is being built on top of what was formerly a parking lot for Judaculla. “Residential Living and [the] university had made a significant investment over on the property above Harrill to hopefully replace the parking that we’ve lost where Allen Hall is sitting now,” Barnett said. A stream runs through the site, and construction will likely begin in the spring of 2019, according to Barnett.
Fred Bauknecht, parking and transportation director, has said another new resident lot of 500 spaces across from Judaculla is projected to be completed in the fall of 2019.
More information on Levern Hamlin Allen Hall can be found here.
