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Show Accent SOUTHERN UTAH STATE COLLEGE, CEDAR CITY THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY JANUARY 23, 1989 PAGE 7 Oak Hall tenants make the best of limited space, upkeep Married family housing offers low rent and good location , but residents must deal daily with the facility's shortcomings. BY for only half the rent, she said. One advantage that may not be RACHEL TALBOT EDITORS NOTE: This is the second article of a two-paseries examining the rt current state of SUSCs married housing facility, Oak Hall. immediately recognized results from the compartmental size of the rooms. They are so small that you save money because you dont have to buy furniture. Its not for everyone, said Sherri. But, its not forever, well sacrifice now and party later. The Stricklers will be leaving SUSC at the end of spring quarter. Bob will graduate with an accounting major and a double minor of business USCS NEED FOR A NEW library in a central and expandable location negates any consideration of long-tercontinued use of Oak Hall. Though officials continue solution to search for an in behalf of student families, they have yet to find one. Oak Hall has the capacity to house 50 student families within its apartments. The ideal location and the low rental costs initially attract dwellers, but the weaknesses of the structure provide fuel for frustration and futility. Labeling Oak Hall the slums of Cedar City, Bob and Sherri Strickler elaborated on their impressions of SUSCs family student housing. The newly married couple arrived at SUSC and their residence, Oak Hall, two years ago. Sherris first reaction to the small, drab apartment was No way! The couple received a bad first impression from other people as well. People are shocked when they find out we live here, she said. Their initial reaction is negative: Cockroach Hall. The Stricklers have made the best of their past two years, though. When you put up your own little things, its home, said Sherri. Its what you make of it. Bob continued, Im here to obtain an education. My primary goal is not to live in a palace. Though far from a palace, after laying new carpet, painting the walls, hanging drapes and a blind over the bedroom doorway for privacy, the couples home has a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. Because of the buildings age and the colleges plan for demolition, maintenance not improvement has been a priority. I feel there is no upgrading, just maintaining, said Sherri. Bb added, I find we can get things done faster by doing things ourselves. They give us the supplies. Both agree that they have been treated extremely well by the staff. Cockroach infestation, a problem dealt with by many of Oak Halls residents, has not affected the Stricklers. We usually see them when they spray, but we didnt let them spray this year and we havent seen them, said Bob. In the Stricklers perspective, Oak Halls positive points include neighbors who can watch your home while away. However, this point has its negative aspects too. Sometimes I feel like there is a lack of privacy you cant help but see, said Sherrie. Laundry facilities and free cable TV also enter the list of positives. Additionally, residents can put their homes in storage during the summer ld m on-camp- us administration and German. Sherri will graduate with a two year certificate for child development. Several Oak Hall residences are headed by single parents. DeAn Henry and her son, Wayne, have resided in Oak Hall since spring 1988. When her son suffered a stroke as a result of spinal meningitis she needed special help to accommodate his needs. Resident Living was really helpful they did everything they could. Ive been really satisfied with the people Ive had to work with here. Theyve really done everything they could to help, she said. DeAn attributes her ability to return to school to the economy of living in Oak Hall. That was the only way I could go back to school, she said. However, the cockroach infestation has brought on a whole new attitude. If Id known that they were here I wouldnt have moved here. But, now that I am here I cant afford to move away. Speaking of Oak Halls maintenance crew, DeAn has experienced variable results. During school, when its real busy, it takes quite awhile to get things fixed. Sometimes youve got to request it quite a few times. she said. The shower in DeAns apartment produces either very hot or very cold water. To compensate for her sons safety, she explained I bought a small tub for his bath because he got scalded the first time he got into the shower. This, however, is an improvement on the rumored couple whose shower has been more like a dry well. DeAn describes the apartments as too small, even with only two people. There is just not enough room, she said. The Stricklers described the bedroom as just large enough to have a king size bed that stretches wall to wall. The match-bo- x rooms do, however, have an additional five feet length-wisDeAn has returned to school to gain computer skills. She plans to leave SUSC this spring and further her career as an architect. A second married couple, Ginger and Alan Harris, are seven-mont- h residents of Oak Hall. Ginger agrees that Oak Halls assets are its rental cost and location but said that the cheapness is not really an asset any more Id rather pay more money. Putting the library on the Resident Living property does not pose a problem in Gingers estimation. I hope they do it right away I dont care if I have to find another place to live. Extra insight to the living conditions was offered by Alan Harris, who explained, Its kind of bad in the morning when you want to sleep in and 500 people walk by talking. Pondering the circumstances leading to her current living situation, Ginger concluded, Dont get married when youre in school because then you dont have to live in places like this. four-year-o- ld e. 10-ye- ar Senior child development major Sherri Strickler resides in Oak Hall, SUSCs married housing facility, with her husband Bob, a senior majoring in accounting. The couple chose the building because of its ideal location and low rent despite its limited space and privacy. |