By LAYLI LONG SOLDIER
SANTA FE—In Spring 2008, IAIA students will take residence in brand new dorm rooms in a two-story facility currently under construction on the IAIA campus. As students walk by the fenced-off construction area and watch the building take shape brick-by-brick, some can look forward to the possibility of living in its quarters next year.
IAIA celebrated official commencement of the project on Dec. 28, 2006. At a ground breaking ceremony attended by IAIA Board of Trustees members, staff and contractors, Patrick Trujillo of Cochiti Pueblo offered prayers for blessing, and guests participated in an official “turning of the soil.”
Total cost for the project is budgeted at $7.5 million. Funding comes from the state of New Mexico in a sum of $1.9 million. Another $6.9 million is financed to IAIA by the New Mexico Finance Authority as a low interest bond.
Addressing Student Needs
“It’s definitely a great project for the Institute. It will put us in a more secure position for student recruitment,” said David Aigner, IAIA facilities and new campus construction manager. “The whole project was started with Board approval, based on the need to increase student enrollment at IAIA.”
IAIA receives approximately 900-136,000 inquiries from potential students per semester; about 400 become serious applicants. According to Aigner, many of those applicants cannot attend IAIA because of the lack of on-campus housing and the high cost of living in Santa Fe.
The new residential facility will stand two-stories high and accommodate 154 students in seventy-seven rooms with two beds each, men and women on separate levels. Each floor will hold a common social area, kitchenette, TV/lounge room, and laundry facilities. Two dorm rooms in the building will be compliant to regulations of the American Disabilities Act.
Family Housing Units
But it doesn’t stop there—this is a two-fold project. In Phase II of the project, once the new facilities are completed, the existing dorm units on campus will be entirely renovated into married or single-parent housing.
If the renovation work goes as scheduled, the units will be ready for occupancy by June 2008—when the Center for Lifelong Learning Summer Program begins. At the latest, they will be available by Fall 2008, as family housing for incoming students.
The twenty-six casitas will be converted in two-bedroom apartments, with one unit reserved for visiting scholars or artists-in-residence.
“We’ve been talking about more on-campus housing for a number of years,” Carmen Henan, IAIA dean of students, said about the housing project. She is relieved and excited for the new development.
“This opportunity is going to open up family housing. We’re hoping to make it more affordable for our students that have families to attend school and live in Santa Fe,” Henan said, noting that gas, water and electricity will be included in rental fees.
Total cost for rental of a family housing unit is anticipated to be $650 per month, subject to final review and approval of IAIA Board of Trustees.
The issue of providing daycare services for students with families has been discussed during the development of this project. Right now, however, IAIA does not have the space or facilities to accommodate a center for childcare.
Project Completion in Time to Welcome Newcomers
Construction is scheduled for completion on Dec. 28 of this year. Between completion and Sunday, Jan.13, 2008, when new students arrive for orientation, crews will quickly work to add finishing touches to the new dorm rooms: new furniture, fixtures, lighting and decoration.
“It’s going to be good for students all around—more housing for single students and a place for students with children,” said Henan, who anticipates nothing less than a win-win situation for IAIA and its students.
For further info and graphic illustrations of the housing design, click here.
“It’s definitely a great project for the Institute. It will put us in a more secure position
for student recruitment.”—David Aigner, IAIA Facilities And New Campus Construction Manager
“It’s going to be good for students all around—more housing for single students and a place for students with children.”—Carmen Henan, IAIA Dean Of Students