Repair issues at Livingstone dorm frustrate students who have to move

Published 1:05 pm Thursday, January 4, 2018

This story will be updated as more details become available. 

SALISBURY — Some Livingstone students are being forced to move house because of issues at the school’s Honor’s Hall.

According to an e-mail distributed to students from the Office of Student Affairs in the wee hours of Thursday morning, the hall was closed due to “unforeseen circumstances for immediate repairs.” Kimberly Harrington, assistant director of public relations as Livingstone College, said that a water pipe burst in the dorm yesterday due to cold temperatures.

The e-mail said students who lived on the “high side” of honors hall would instead be housed at College Park Apartments.

College Park is an apartment-style off-campus residence hall on Old Wilksboro Road. Students there live in apartments with three single bedrooms — and pay for that privilege. According to Livingstone’s student housing applications, a single room can cost $600 a semester at minimum.

According to the e-mail, these students will now have a roommate for the spring 2018 semester. And while it also states that the single room charge will be credited back to the students’ accounts, it lists no timeline for completion of repairs to the Honors Hall.

Livingstone students, who requested to remain anonymous, claimed that College Park apartments are already at capacity.

“And now they’re trying to move more people,” one said.

Students also said that some apartments will now house as many as six students.

“This is crazy. It’s ridiculous and it’s very inconsiderate of Livingstone College,” the student said.

Livingstone students began moving back into residence halls on Wednesday, and classes begin Monday.

The Post reached out to Livingstone College for comment and confirmation, and the school is expected to issue a statement this afternoon.