Christian Thompson
Reporter

When Webb Hall and Sutton Hall residents come to campus for the fall 2006 semester they will be greeted with a cold arrival. Window air conditioning units will be installed in each room of both Sutton and Webb for residents next year. President Don Jeanes said this is the one decision made from the recent board meetings that can be made public at this time.

Jeanes announced the decision at the October board meetings. “This was an administrative decision. (Milligan College) talked about it because we knew about the discomfort of students in August and September. We are excited about the cooling comfort that is coming next fall.”

The timetable for this project is short and will start soon. The process will start over Christmas break. The school will be doing electrical service in Webb and Sutton, said Jeanes.

Milligan has received more and more requests for air units from students, and the current electrical service might not be able to handle that, giving the reasoning for the new electrical service Jeanes noted.

Facilities Service Manager Jonathon Robinson explained, “In Webb Hall we will install a new service panel in each floor with new power to each room. The new units will be permanently mounted in the windows. There will be something to prevent (wind) drafts in the winter time.”

“Every year, we come up with a list of things to improve. This is in keeping with the overall plans to improve the dorms,” Jeanes said.

He noted many recent improvements in the past, including the phone system, cable television, painting walls and ceilings, new beds and mattresses, new desks and chairs, replacing damaged window screens and floor replacement when needed.

“Also, not many students know that we had to replace the heat and air system in Hart, which cost between $3 and $4 million dollars,” Jeanes said. “The replacement cost as much as it did to build the building in the 1960’s.”

Looking to the future, the window air conditioning units are not a permanent fix. “This is not a long-term plan,” said Jeanes. “Yet this is a good temporary solution because all window units will be consistent and have the same look.”

Speaking of damaged units, Jeanes said, “If there’s some kind of abuse, it will be dealt with just like any other piece of college-owned furniture in the room.

If the unit quits working, that will be taken care of, yet if the unit is damaged, a fine will be imposed.”

The plan is to have the units installed before students return in August. “Hopefully we can be done by the first (Christ in Youth conference), which is the first full week in June,” Jeanes said.