In a recent interview with the Tallahassee Democrat, FAMU Interim Vice-President for Student Affairs William Hudson, Jr. stated that he is optimistic that Sampson and Young Halls will reopen by the start of 2011-2012 school year.FAMU closed the two dormitories in 2003 due to various building code violations.
Sampson (1938) and Young (1929) Halls were both built during the Great Depression. A 2003 FAMU housing study cited a number of serious problems in the two buildings that include: nonconforming fire doors, inadequate fire alarm systems, deteriorated piping and plumbing systems, insufficient electrical systems, and inadequate fire sprinkler protection.
On September 19, 2010, Rattler Nation broke the news that FAMU had received a $700,000 federal grant to help renovate Sampson. The university has secured bonds to cover the rest of the costs associated with bringing Sampson and Young up to code.
FAMU currently has only 2,484 on-campus beds for a student body of 13,284. Sampson would add 182 beds and Young would add 94, bringing the campus total up to 2760.
Re-opening Sampson and Young would likely 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.