Jill Smith
Contributing Writer
jsmith194@murraystate.edu
Springer has been a residential college on Murray State’s campus since 1962, and it’s finally closing its doors to residents.
David Looney, executive director Auxiliary Services Administration, said 208 students lived in Springer during the fall 2020 semester.
Resident Adviser in Springer, Maleah Buckner, says she was was surprised to hear of the impending closure.
“When we found out the building was closing during our staff meeting, it made me a little sad,” Buckner said. was going to happen eventually but never expected it to close so soon.”
Sophomore Jenny Rodriguez lived in Springer during her freshman year and said she never received a notification from the Housing Office to notify her of the building’s closure.
“It was to my surprise,” Rodriguez said. “My roommate actually told me and then I overheard a couple people talk about it in my classes.”
Buckner said she tried to do what she could to support students and answer any questions.
“As an RA we were just supposed to be there to answer any questions the girls had and be there to support them,” Buckner said. “Some of the residents were upset because they didn’t know where they were gonna be able to relocate to for a price as cheap as Springer’s.”
Senior Gloria Benz said Murray State should consider building another all-girls residential college.
“I do hope that they build another dorm with the name Springer and to still keep that same rule of an all-girls dorm,” Benz said.
Rodriguez said some Springer residents were drawn to the all-girls residential college.
“It’s good to have an all-girls dorm because not every girl is comfortable with sharing a building with guys on different floors,” Rodriguez said. “That’s why I chose to live in Springer.”
Buckner said she will miss the community she had in Springer.
“I really will miss the all-female community the most,” Buckner said. “Everyone was just so nice and easy to talk to and you just felt safe.”
Director of Housing David Wilson said the building was reopened to quarantine international students before the start of the fall semester.
“Shortly before the fall semester started, we were informed that students arriving from international travel were required to quarantine between three and five days when they entered the country,” Wilson said. “Since a large number of these students came back to campus before the residence halls opened, we decided to use Springer II for their quarantine.”
Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 are not quarantining in Springer, but it was not disclosed where students are placed for quarantine.
“Students who live on campus and [are] diagnosed with COVID are provided temporary isolation accommodations on campus,” Looney said. “However they are not isolated in their residence halls nor in Springer II at this time.”
Looney said it’s time for a replacement in place of Springer.
“Springer II is an old building which has served Murray State well over the years; however, the Housing Master Plan calls for the removal of the building to make room for replacement buildings,” Looney said.
Wilson said there is a Housing Master Plan for any campus projects, including building new residence halls.
“The University has a Housing Master Plan which is included in the Campus Master Plan that is approved by the Board of Regents,” Wilson said. “The cost to build a new residence hall varies greatly based on the number of beds, accommodations, design elements and many other factors making an accurate estimate hard to provide.”
The Board of Regents Retreat on Friday, Sept. 3 discussed future housing plans to draw students to Murray State’s campus. Looney briefly discussed the proposed plan for Springer under this Campus Master Plan.
“By razing that building in the near future, we can create new and exciting facilities in that space there,” Looney said.
Buckner reflected on her time living in Springer as a resident and an RA and is sad to see her time in Springer come to an end.
“I’ve made so many great memories in that building with my friends and coworkers so it was a little sad to see it all come to an end,” Buckner said.
The building has not yet been approved to be razed by the Board of Regents for future projects.