Coblentz-Memorial Hall Updates

January 22, 2024

• We are thrilled to announce that renovations are complete and Memorial Hall is officially open to our students. Over the weekend, the majority of residents were moved into Memorial Hall. Additional residents will continue moving in throughout the coming weeks. We are grateful for volunteers who assisted with the move in and our resident assistants who are helping students get settled. Thank you for your patience as we worked diligently to reach this day, and as always, please do not hesitate to reach out to residence life staff with any questions or concerns.

January 12, 2024

• We are pleased to announce that a Temporary Occupancy Permit was issued by the City of Frederick. This allows students to move into the building. The Final Occupancy Permit will be issued after a few outstanding items, including landscaping, are complete.
• The remaining furniture is being installed.
• Remaining work:
  • Install kitchen appliances.
  • Complete furniture installation.
  • Complete A/V equipment installation.
  • Final cleaning.

January 4, 2024

Progress continues on finalizing the renovations to Memorial Hall and students are still expected to be moved in later this month. Residence Life staff will contact Memorial Hall residents directly in the coming weeks with their room assignments and move-in schedule. We are awaiting final inspections, including:

• The final elevator inspection, January 9, 2024.
• The final fire alarm inspection, January 11, 2024.

Please review the Construction Updates section for more detailed information. Thank you for your continued patience as renovations enter the final phase and do not hesitate to contact the Office of Residence Life with any questions or concerns. We are excited for our students to see this amazing space soon!

December 11, 2023

We are pleased to announce that the construction firm leading the renovation project, KBE, has confirmed that work will be completed on Memorial in late December. As a result, we anticipate that students will be able to move into Memorial in January 2024.

In the coming weeks, residence life staff will contact students directly via email with more details regarding move-in dates. As always, residence life staff and resident assistants are available to answer questions and address concerns.

Your patience and understanding have been sincerely appreciated during this time. Despite the longer-than-expected delay, we are confident that the renovated and improved Memorial Hall will be worth the wait, and we cannot wait to share this wonderful space with you.

August 2, 2023

We have uploaded floor plans for Coblentz-Memorial Hall as well as a mock-up of dorm room furniture. Please select the "Coblentz-Memorial Hall Floor Plans" menu below to access these files.

July 27, 2023

The FAQ section has been updated based on inquiries made during the virtual Town Hall meeting. Please refer to the FAQ to see new questions and answers. If you have a question that is not addressed in the FAQ, do not hesitate to contact residence life staff.

July 13, 2023

A recording of the virtual Town Hall meeting is available to view here.

You will be receiving an email to your @hood.edu address that will include a temporary housing preferences survey. Please complete and submit the survey by the deadline to allow for a smooth transition. A link to the updates webpage and Town Hall recording will also be provided.

Starting Friday, July 14, residence life staff will begin contacting individual students by phone to discuss their temporary housing preferences and solidify plans for the fall semester. All students will have temporary housing assigned no later than July 31, 2023.

July 7, 2023

Greetings, 

Thank you for your continued patience as we work to resolve the delayed opening of Coblentz-Memorial Hall. The Hood College Office of Residence Life invites you to a virtual Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, July 12, 4 p.m. Our staff will provide the latest updates, share plans for assigning temporary housing and answer any questions you may have. 

Please use the following link to attend: Zoom link

If you are unable to attend, a recording of the Town Hall will be made available online. 

In the meantime, I am happy to address any immediate questions or concerns, so don’t hesitate to reach out. We hope to see you at the Town Hall and look forward to speaking with you. 

Dawan Worsley 
Director of Residence Life 

January 11, 2024

• Elevator inspection is complete and approved.
• Fire alarm inspection is complete and approved.
• Security cameras are operational.
• The Building Inspector has been through the building and the contractor is addressing final items that need to be completed.
• Authorization to install first floor bedroom furniture and lounge furniture was granted.  That work will begin on 1/12/24.
• Remaining work:
  • Complete exterior vestibule door operator.
  • Install kitchen appliances.
  • Finalize stripping of ADA parking space.
  • Obtain Occupancy Permit.
  • Complete furniture installation.
  • Complete A/V equipment installation.

Final cleaning.January 9, 2024

• Washers and dryers have been installed.
• Exterior door hardware is being installed.
• Security cameras are being installed.
• Final cleaning continues.
• On the ground floor:
  • Tile in lounge kitchen and staff apartment has been installed.
  • Lounge lighting has been installed.
• Elevator inspection is confirmed for today.

January 8, 2024

• Ongoing installation work:
  • Bathroom mirrors.
  • Door hardware.
  • Vestibule flooring and ceiling.
• Final cleaning is ongoing.
• Kitchen appliances are in the building and ready to be installed.
• Final inspections:
  • The final elevator inspection is scheduled for January 9, 2024.
  • The final fire alarm inspection is scheduled for January 11, 2024.

January 4, 2024

• First through fourth floors:
  • Furniture and door hardware have been installed in the bedrooms. Residence Life is making final adjustments to furniture layouts.
  • Glass walls at the main stair and around lounges are complete.
  • Carpeting in corridors and lounges is complete.
  • Lighting is complete.
  • Bathroom accessories have been installed.
  • Water fountains/bottle filling stations are installed and operational.
  • Room signage has been installed.
  • Final cleaning is taking place.
• Ground floor:
  • Painting and flooring are substantially complete.
  • Lights and ceilings are installed.
  • Bathrooms are complete.
  • Kitchen cabinets have been installed.
  • The IT room in complete and systems are operational.
• Flooring and handrails have been installed in the main stair.
• Flooring and handrails in Stair B are 90 percent complete.
• The east entry vestibule is complete; exterior door hardware in being installed.
• Exterior lighting is installed and operational.
• HVAC is operating.
• Subcontractors have been demobilizing and moving off campus.
• Upcoming work:
  • Final cleaning.
  • Installation of monitors in lounges.
  • Installation of security cameras.
  • Final inspections:
    • The final elevator inspection is scheduled for January 9, 2024.
    • The final fire alarm inspection is scheduled for January 11, 2024.
  • Remaining furniture and appliances will be installed in lounges and ground floor bedrooms.
  • Final cleaning.

December 14, 2023

• First through fourth floors are substantially complete.
• Furniture is being installed in the bedrooms.
• The ground floor is being painted and flooring is being installed.
• The elevator is operational.
• Tile flooring is being installed on the main stair.
• The new entry vestibule is enclosed.
• Interior door hardware and locks are being installed.
• Exterior doors are installed.
• Window blinds are being installed.
• The HVAC system is running and being commissioned.
• The west terrace steps and accessible ramp are complete.
• The parking area has been repaved.

Upcoming work:

• The ground floor is scheduled to be substantially complete on 12/22.
• Stair handrails.
• Final inspections are scheduled in early January.
• Remaining furniture and appliances will be installed.
• Final cleaning.

October 16, 2023

• Exterior window frames and window units are being installed in the core of the building.
• Bathroom tile is being installed on the upper floors.
• Painting continues throughout the bedrooms and upper corridors.
• Corridor lights are being installed.
• The exterior utility yard walls are being constructed.
• The elevator is installed.
• Exterior handrails at stairs and under the portico have been replaced.
• The west terrace and accessible ramp are being built.
• Upcoming work: 
  • Continue with HVAC and plumbing work throughout.
  • Continue with installation of drywall and ceilings, especially in the core.
  • Enclose the building (windows and doors) in order to control the condition of the space (temperature and humidity) so that flooring and doors can be installed.
  • Turn over MDF Room to Hood IT.

October 2, 2023

• New stairs have been installed.
• The elevator is being installed.
• Lights in upper floor bedrooms have been installed.
• Upper bedrooms and corridors are painted.
• Tile is being installed in bathrooms.
• Drywall is being installed in the core and central common spaces.
• Corridor ceiling grids have been installed.
• The sanitary sewer line has been replaced.
• The exterior stair on the east side is being built.
• Excavation of the utility yard on the east side is underway.
• Upcoming work: 
  • Continue with installation of drywall, ceilings, tile, lights, HVAC, plumbing fixtures and elevator.
  • Bedroom flooring.
  • Exterior windows.
  • Utility yard footings.
  • West terrace/stair/ramp excavation.

September 7, 2023

• The new stair is being installed.
• The upper rooms and corridors are being painted.
• Finishes (flooring and tile) in the mock-up room and bathroom are being installed.
• The exterior cornice and gutter repairs are being completed.
• Site work has started.
• Upcoming work: 
  • Elevator installation.
  • Window installation.
  • Sprinkler system installation in core.
  • Ceiling grid installation.
  • Continue MEP work.
  • Plumbing fixture installation.

August 21, 2023

• Work is accelerating in the center of the building now that the temporary structural supports have been removed.   
• The new roof over the elevator is complete.
• Under-slab plumbing continues on the first floor.
• The Dedicated Outside Air System (DOAS) was installed in the fourth-floor mechanical room.
• Installation of drywall partitions and ceilings continues throughout the building.
• Shower bases have been installed.
• The elevator shaft walls are being installed.
• Repair of exterior elements (brick work, cornice, column) is ongoing.
• Upcoming work: 
  • New stair installation.
  • Elevator installation.
  • Site work.

August 4, 2023

• Structural work is complete and temporary structural supports are being removed from the center of the building. 
• Drywall continues to be installed.
• Overhead HVAC work continues.
• Underground plumbing is being finalized.
• Exterior brick restoration is ongoing.

July 28, 2023

• Core structural work has been completed; inspections of that work are expected to be finished by July 31.
• Temporary shoring is expected to be removed within the next week, which will allow for the elevator enclosure and new stairwell to be completed.
• Drywall is being installed on the upper floors.

July 21, 2023

• Shoring removal is underway on all floors, which will then expedite cabling, wiring, etc.
• Partitions have been installed on all floors.
• Ceiling supports have been completed on the fourth floor.

July 14, 2023

• New structural steel for elevator core will be complete within the next two weeks.
• Mechanical, plumbing and electrical work is 80% complete, and most above ceiling work is complete,
• Inspections of infrastructure by the City of Frederick are ongoing.
• Wall and door framing is almost complete.
• Drywall has been delivered and installation will begin next week.

Why has the opening of Memorial Hall been postponed? 
Delays in construction caused by unforeseen conditions and supply chain issues have disrupted the original schedule. 

How will students be compensated for this inconvenience?
Students affected by the delayed opening of Memorial Hall will be charged the standard room rate in accordance with their temporary housing for the entirety of the fall 2023 semester, even after moving into Memorial. Please note: the Memorial room rate will resume in spring 2024. Students will also receive priority placement for selecting their housing assignments in fall 2024.

When will Memorial Hall be open? 
The situation is evolving, but given the most recent update from the construction team, we anticipate Memorial Hall will be ready for occupancy in mid- to late fall 2023. Please note that while we are working diligently to open Memorial Hall as quickly as possible, the situation is fluid, and this date is subject to change.

Will construction disrupt students living nearby?
The heavy demolition work has been completed on Memorial, so we anticipate minimum issues with noise during the remaining stages of construction. If you have concerns about disruptions, please contact residence life staff.

Will Memorial be structurally sound and safe for occupancy when the building opens? 
Renovations to Memorial adhere to all current safety standards, and the City of Frederick will not permit occupancy of the space until it passes a rigorous inspection.

Will Memorial have a functional elevator? 
Yes, a new elevator is being installed in Memorial.

Are floor plans of Memorial available for reference?
We are working to provide accurate floor plans and will make those available to you as soon as possible.

What alternative housing options are available on campus? 
Students may be reassigned on-campus dorm rooms in Meyran, Shriner, Smith, and Coblentz Halls.

How will the selection process for temporary housing assignments work?
In accordance with the standard selection process, the Memorial reassignment process will be based on credits.

Will my accommodations be honored? 
We will honor and abide by all previously requested and accepted accommodations. 

Will I be staying in a single or double? 
Due to limited space, please be prepared to be temporarily housed in a double unless you have previously requested and received a disability accommodation. 

Will there be additional storage for students to use on campus?
Again due to space limitations, we are unable to provide additional storage beyond your temporary housing assignment. 

Can I keep my roommate? 
Our office will aim to accommodate your current roommate; however, roommates will change once temporary housing spaces have been exhausted, and you may be temporarily assigned a new roommate. 

Will my housing contract be honored, or will it need to be amended? 
Your housing contract will be honored until Memorial Hall is ready. 

Will student-athletes have temporary housing assignments ready for early move in?
Yes, all student-athletes will receive their temporary housing assignments in time to move in on the assigned date, August 16.

Where will Memorial RAs be housed?
RAs will be assigned temporary housing in Meyran, Shriner, Smith and Coblentz Halls. Despite this temporary relocation, they will continue to serve residential students and meet all RA work expectations.

Will there be assistance to help me move from my temporary dorm to Memorial Hall when it opens? 
Volunteers will be available to help all students move their belongings from temporary lodgings into Memorial Hall. 

If I prefer my temporary housing assignment, may I remain there instead of moving into Memorial?
Yes, you may elect to remain in your temporary housing assignment for the fall 2023 semester if that is your preference; however, you will be expected to move into Memorial Hall by the spring 2024 semester.

Who should I contact with questions or concerns? 
Members of the residence life team will be contacting you directly to determine your temporary housing plan. In the meantime, you can contact the res life office at residencelife@hood.edu.

View floor plans for Coblentz-Memorial Hall.

View mock-up of dorm furniture for Coblentz-Memorial Hall.