The days of students sawing and hammering lumber to build lofts in University dorm rooms are over.
Beginning this fall, students in the residence halls may no longer construct their own lofts. But the prohibition of homemade lofts does not mean that students will be forced to leave their beds at floor level.
Returning students may bring their existing lofts back again, and in many halls, students can rent a loft for about $46 a year. In Bailey and Sanford halls beds include their own lofts.
“We found over the years that when students did their own construction of bed lofts, they did quite a bit of damage in the rooms,” said Laurie McLaughlin, assistant director of Housing and Residential Life.
Making the lofts left sawdust and nails imbedded in carpets. Installing and using them dented walls, damaged ceilings and ripped carpet.
The new lofts, which are provided by Collegiate Services, an independent firm, are black and constructed from steel tubes. The lofts are designed to be installed in about 10 minutes. About 1200 have been rented to students so far.
Renting a loft, McLaughlin said, should be less expensive than buying lumber and going through the work of constructing a loft and later disposing of it or transporting it.
McLaughlin said she didn’t know whether the homemade lofts which are already in use this year will be allowed to return next year.
Staff at the housing office will also be keeping an eye on how well the raised beds work in Bailey and Sanford halls.