FAMU has received a $700,000 federal grant to renovate George M. Sampson Hall.Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that FAMU is one of the 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that will be a beneficiary of $14.25 million for historic preservation grants aimed at providing assistance in the repair of historic buildings. The Department made these funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for projects that will repair and preserve campus buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
“The recovery funds not only will restore historic buildings on these campuses but also will provide a boost to individuals and companies performing the repairs, college communities and related local economies,” Salazar said.
Architect Magazine reports that “From 1980 through 2006, the NPS granted roughly $3 million a year to HBCUs for preservation projects, but the grants required matching funds, which many schools failed to raise. U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) successfully pushed for increasing funding and easing the match requirements in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”
Sampson, a campus dormitory, was constructed in 1938. It was closed in 2003 due to various code violations. A 2003 FAMU housing study cited a number of serious problems in the building that included: nonconforming fire doors, inadequate fire alarm systems, deteriorated piping and plumbing systems, insufficient electrical systems, and inadequate fire sprinkler protection.
Re-opening Sampson will add 182 beds to campus, which is likely to give a boost to FAMU’s six-year graduation rate. Housing helps students afford more credit hours by cutting down the cost of living. Campus housing rental rates are usually much cheaper than private-owned apartments. Students also save money by using campus meal plans and walking to class instead of driving. That leaves them with more dollars to spend on courses.
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Every penny helps. I was a Sampson Hall resident back in the 70s and it was a really great experience. We had our own little community right there on campus. Hopefully we can renovate all of our campus dorms with upgrades and build something new in the Polkinghorn location. I'll never forget the good times that we had in the SUB,the Grand Ballroom, the SET, and laughing at crazy Bo Bryant, Fess, Jiggs, and others.
ReplyDeleteDitto 12:42. We will gratefully accept and put to great use of these funds. Now is time to move on the housing shortage that quietly plagues Florida's higher education product. House Our Rattlers!
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