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Furman Home Page / Parents / University Housing / The Vinings
The Vinings
Furman is exploring the possibility of purchasing the Vinings at Duncan Chapel, a 196-unit apartment complex near Timmons Arena, from Easlan Capital, a Greenville-based property management firm. Constructed in 2002, the seven-building complex houses approximately 320 residents, about 90 of whom are Furman students. While details have yet to be worked out, Merkt says the Vinings would continue to house a mixture of students and community members under university management. Furman currently houses 1,024 juniors and seniors in Plans for extensive renovations to the original campus residence halls over the next ten years will increase the housing shortage. By acquiring the Vinings, Furman will be able to meet the demand for apartment-style living and enable major residence hall renovations. The brick and siding structures of the Vinings, surrounded by wrought-iron fencing and accented with a water fountain, complement the campus architecture. The complex also includes a clubhouse, swimming pool, parking garages and storage units. "From an architectural standpoint, it's a great fit for Furman," says Boyd Yarbrough, director of university housing, adding that the university would honor existing leases for the current residents of the Vinings. Current students residing at the Vinings either commute or take a short walk or bike ride to the academic buildings. Yarbrough is currently developing a committee - comprised of faculty, staff and students - that will address issues arising from the possible acquisition and ultimately craft housing policies for the complex. One of the first issues this group will address is developing a statement of principles about how the project will impact students and the community. Statement of Principles Accordingly, to ensure the maintenance of a high-quality Furman housing experience, we are committed to the following principles:
Q: Why is Furman interested in purchasing the Vinings? A: Furman currently houses 1,024 juniors and seniors in Each summer, two of the Q: Where is Furman in the process right now? A: We have signed a contract with the intent of purchasing the Vinings. Furman has not purchased the complex at this point. We are currently in the middle of a 60-day due diligence phase. The deal will not be finalized until late-March to mid-May. During this time, Furman will thoroughly inspect the physical property to ensure quality of construction of the facilities, proper maintenance of the apartments, and no problems with the entire property. During this period, Furman will also examine the financial documents and projections to make sure it is an appropriate decision from a financial perspective. The current economic climate has made the transaction more complicated to negotiate. Q: Will the Vinings be a part of the Housing Lottery for 2008? A: No, the Vinings will not be a part of the Housing Lottery for 2008. Students who are approved to live off campus or granted permission to live off campus through the Lottery may choose to live at the Vinings. These same students are not required to live at the Vinings, but may live any other place of their choosing. The Operations Sub-Committee will continue to discuss issues related to students living in the Vinings and will make recommendations for the Vinings to be included in the Lottery for 2009. Q: Which students will be eligible to live at the Vinings? A: For next year, any student who is approved to live off campus may choose to live at the Vinings. This would include rising seniors who get permission to live off campus through the off-campus lottery as well as thought who are granted exemptions by the Director of University Housing. All students requesting to live off campus must submit their request through the Web site at http://www.furman.edu/housing/lotteryindex.htm#exemptions Q: Will students be forced to live in the Vinings? A: Furman is pursuing the purchase of the Vinings as an additional option for students. It is anticipated that the Vinings will be highly desirable. Students will not be forced to live at the Vinings, but will rather participate in a lottery process if they desire to live at the property. University Housing will continue to work with student input to establish the most appropriate lottery processes. The four-year residency requirement will remain in effect. Q: Will the off-campus exemptions for fraternities continue to exist? A: The purchase of the Vinings will not impact the off-campus exemptions granted to the existing fraternities. The current exemptions are in place based on student input when Furman instituted the four-year residency program.
Q: Will students living at the Vinings be allowed to consume alcohol? A: The following policy for alcohol at the Vinings is being considered:
1. The possession and/or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all campus locations except as listed below: Consumption of alcoholic beverages by students 21 and over will be permitted for University approved catered or special group events at the following facilities:
2. Alcohol containers may be deemed as evidence of consumption and are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, alcohol bottles, alcohol cans, beer bongs and funnels. 3. All local, state and federal laws will be enforced and could result in an arrest as well as on campus disciplinary action. Alcohol at the Vinings
Disciplinary Sanctions
Q: Will less students be allowed to enter the off campus lottery? A: Nothing will impact the number of students allowed to participate in the off campus lottery. However, the number of students granted permission to live off campus fluctuates each year. The number of students approved to live off campus is recalculated each year based on a complex formula which takes into account class size, retention rates, number of rooms available for assignments, students paying to reserve their room while on study away programs and many other variables. Once the Vinings is included in the lottery process, then students may choose to apply to live at the Vinings. The number of students granted permission to live off campus will be adjusted based on the same formula. Q: Will RAs be placed in the Vinings? A: RAs will not be hired and placed in the Vinings. However, students with the title of Community Assistants will be hired and placed. The Community Assistants will be trained to work in the Vinings Office to answer questions, give tours, plan programs and activities for the residents, and assist the management staff with operational needs. Q: Will students pay an increased fee? A: The purchase of the Vinings will not cause an increase in housing costs for students or non-student residents. However, each year, a market study will be conducted as is currently the practice. This study will be used to propose to the Trustees the housing prices for the following year. The Trustees then approve the housing cost for the following year. Q: Will current Vinings residents (who are not Furman students) be allowed to stay? A: For next year, there are no anticipated changes for Furman or non-Furman residents. Everyone may apply to have their lease renewed and decisions will be made based on the history of the tenant, availability and the market. Q: How will the purchase of the Vinings affect student life at Furman? A: If the purchase of the Vinings occurs, then for the first time, Furman will be able to guarantee apartment style housing for all rising juniors and seniors who desire such housing. The Vinings add an additional element to Furman’s repertoire of housing options for students. It will include amenities such as a pool, available storage, dishwashers, car wash area, family housing and others that are not currently available to students. Students will be vitally involved in the decision making process regarding the process of identifying students to live at the Vinings, as well as the amenity packages that will be available to students. Furman will retain its ability to house students once extensive renovations begin to the residence halls. As buildings are taken off line for renovation, the number of rooms lost during renovation can be compensated by increasing the number of students living at the Vinings. Furman will retain the residential nature of its campus and students will have increased choice of housing styles. As one perspective student indicated when informed of the possibility of living at the Vinings, he was astonished at the quality and character of housing at the Vinings. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
