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Show am Wednesday, April 20, 2005 The Signpost Page 3 Student has lofty idea to save money on rent Two-by-fours, cinder blocks convert dorm room into two By BLAIR DEE HODGES asst. news editor | The Signpost Some college students are willing to do just about anything to save a buck. Last December, representatives from University Village announced that residents could save money on rent by housing six students in a dorm instead of four. Dennis Winters was the only person in UV who actually took this offer to heart. The 24-yearold manufacturing engineering major stood in his small room trying to figure out how he could fit a roommate in the small space. He had an idea, but needed a roommate to share in it. Winters approached Josh Hartung, a 19-year-old sophomore studying criminal justice. "He called me up at the end of last semester and told'me he had an idea," Hartung said. The idea Winters came up with was to construct a makeshift loft in his bedroom with beds above and desks beneath. "I didn't really want to do it; I was kind of afraid at first, actually," Hartung said. "I didn't think it would actually work, but he said, 'Just trust me, it will work'." Hartung wasn't the only person Winters needed to convince, Sean Roberts, a 21year-old business major, was living in the same dorm as Winters, in a different room. "Dennis told me for a while that he wanted another roommate,'' Roberts said. "I pretty much knew this was coming. I even helped build one of the shelves. Only Dennis Above: Dennis Winters (left) and Josh Hartung (right) sit in their University Village apartment. They have transformed a single bedroom into two bedrooms by placing their homemade beds on two-by-fours and cinder blocks. Right: Josh Hartung (background) stands underneath his bed in his and Dennis Winters' (foreground) apartment. The roommates plan on moving out at the end of spring semester. would have thought of this thing; he thinks outside the box." Winters set out on a threeday weekend in February to collect the necessary supplies. "It cost $65 worth of two-byfours, mason blocks, plywood and screws/' Winters said. "It took me about 12 hours total to finish it." Winters got a late start and had to make the board cuts in the parking lot. In an effort to not disturb any residents, he turned up the volume on his radio. "I had to do it quick because it was a little after midnight," Winters said. "No one came out to see what was going on though." Hartung didn't help with the construction project, but says his role as the supporter was important. "I pretty much just told him he did a good job," Hartung said. To avoid damaging the other roommates of the dorm floor, several times before he got used to sleeping in the sky. room, Winters constructed about $60. the loft without attaching it Along with the savings, Because the ceiling is 9 feet to the walls. The entire loft Hartung said he is living out a tall, the beds are only about 3-and-a-half feet from it, so a is freestanding, including childhood dream. padding placed where wood "Well, I always wanted a bruised forehead was common might hit the walls. treehouse, but I never had one," in the beginning. Even though the entire loft is Hartung said. "It's great because "Going to the bathroom is a essentially hinged by a crutch now I live in one." big pain, and it can get really and a can of beans, Winters There are some downsides to messy really easy with two guys insists thatitis completely sound living in a treehouse, however. living in here," Winters said. and safe, and he demonstrated Hartung mentioned that the "And then there's the obvious by hanging from it. room sometimes smells like problem of flatulence." "This thing is sound, man," a hardware store. Winters fell Winters said. "It's all pressure fit, out of bed, about 6 feet to the See Rent page 8 and that can of beans holds it all together." The loft impressed Uvia Wright, a resident assistant for the building Winders lives in. "This has been approved by housing, and by the UTAH coordinator of resident life, EX!*£f*IE*tCE THE THRHJL... Justin Walker," Wright said. "We were all really impressed by what Dennis did." ph:627-JUMP (5867) Sharing a room saves Walker and Hartung about www.skydlveogdBn.com $115 a month and saves the FREE MONEY! west s FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER EVENT Wednesday - April 20th 8:30 am - 11:30 am Steward Bell Tower MUSIC, PRIZES & TWINKIE-EATING CONTEST!!! WIN UP TO $200 IN THE BANK OF UTAH MONEY MACHINE!!! Local builders and mortgage loan officers will be there to explain what options are available for first time homebuyers... ith Lark Ascendiin wi Friday, April 22 & Saturday, April 23, 2005 7:30 p.m. Val A. Browning Center Weber State University Ticket Prices: $14, $20, $26, $32, $35 Join the seductive gypsy girt, her would be lover Don | Jose, Escamrllo and the dashing malador, and the artists f; of Ballet West for this stirring performance. Embrace the I; excitement, enjoy the adventure, experience Carmen. In addition to Carmen, enjoy the encore presentation of a long-time audience favorite, Lark Ascending. PRESENTED BY BANK of UTAH MORTGAGE SERVICES Scion jvmpnojiv 399"92 1 4 |