The Online Reflector

The groundbreaking ceremony for Roberts Hall was held on the south side of campus between Warren and Cravens  Halls on Nov. 10 at 3:30 p.m.

The location of the ceremony was close to the spot of the actual construction site. Many people came out in support of the groundbreaking and to see the construction site.

Dean of Students Kory Vitangeli kicked off the event by introducing guest speakers from members of Indianapolis Student Government and the Board of Trustees. UIndy president, Beverley Pitts, also attended the event.

Pitts led the ceremonial groundbreaking by overturning the fresh dirt with her shovel while her followers did the same.

Residence Hall Association president and junior social work major Olivia Koenig spoke about how having a new dorm will create a diverse atmosphere, with upperclassmen on both sides of campus. Until Roberts Hall is opened, the only all upperclassman residence hall is East Hall.

A number of alumni and resident assistants attended the groundbreaking.

Junior mathematics major and vice president of ISG Austin Hauser emphasized how excited he was about an exclusive dorm for upperclassmen.

Roberts Hall is named after UIndy’s first president, John Taylor Roberts, and will be the seventh residence hall.

This dorm will feature single and double rooms with a main living area for the students. The hall will open in August 2012 and is estimated to be a $10 million project.

The new residence hall will allow older students to have a place to live where they will not be paired up with freshmen. It will fit 200 students and stand five stories tall.

Roberts Hall is being designed by Blackburn Architects, and Wilhelm Construction will oversee the construction.

Residents in the neighboring dorms, Warren and Cravens Halls, hear construction continuously. Freshman art major Nicole Edwards lives in Warren Hall and said she is used to all the noise and activity.

“Besides the noisy machines every morning, it will be really nice to have another dorm on campus,” she said.

Because Roberts Hall is being built over what used to be a parking lot for residents, parking has been affected, and residents and commuters have been parking in a temporary lot.

Once Roberts Hall is built, UIndy will make additional parking space to the east of the building.

Freshman Brooke Lee lives off campus and drives when she needs to come in for classes. She finds parking anywhere difficult.

“I usually drive around for ten minutes or until I can find a spot,” Lee said. “It has not always been like this, but right now it is pretty frustrating,”

Even though parking has been greatly affected, the situation will be resolved. Roberts Hall will bring together the upperclassmen and give them a chance to live amongst other upperclassman and interact.

Junior criminal justice major Taylre Oard was present at the groundbreaking ceremony and  looks forward to Roberts Hall’s completion.

“It was so nice to see my fellow students come out to the ceremony,” Oard said. “And I know the junior class is very excited.”