A group of students, mostly de-tripled freshmen, moved into the renovated Clark Hall on Sept. 7, according to Executive Director of Housing and Dining Programs Chris Moody.
Moody did not release information about the number of students currently living in Clark for security reasons, but the residence hall has 57 beds and 29 rooms, which will continue to be filled throughout the semester.
As of now, approximately 20 roommate groups per week are being de-tripled.
The hall has two floors, both containing communal male and female bathrooms. The first floor also has an additional private, handicap-accessible bathroom and a kitchen facility.
The rooms in Clark are a little larger than average dorms on campus, according to the AU Housing and Dining website.
Ari Basen, a freshman in the School of International Service, said the layout of Clark involves separate closets instead of wall units for closets and wardrobes.
The main purpose of this new residence hall right now is “to offer students in temporary triples an opportunity to de-triple sooner than scheduled,” Moody said.
Both resident assistants for Clark moved in just a few weeks prior to the official opening Sept. 7.
Moody also said the renovation of the new residence hall was completed weeks ahead of the expected date.
Originally, Clark was not expected to become available until Oct. 1 because a number of faculty offices had to be relocated and some adjustments had to be made to the building.
Moody said he was glad the Office of the University Architect was able to work with the project contractors in order to efficiently get Clark up and running as soon as possible.
Basen said he enjoys the rooms’ easy, unique ID access system. Clark and Roper Halls recently installed electronic locks on dorm room doors, The Eagle previously reported.
Many of his fellow Clark Hall residents are now much happier with their change of rooms after being de-tripled, Basen said.
“Most of the new residents I have met in Clark Hall are people who were uncomfortable with triples, like myself,” he said. “But things are looking up now because everyone is much happier, and the new space is wonderful.”
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