'Disappointed' UW-Whitewater might sue construction firm
Podcast Episode
Kyle Geissler talks with Janesville Gazette reporter Kayla Bunge about construction delays creating problems in some UW-Whitewater residence halls.
WHITEWATER — Over-deadline remodeling has left students in two UW-Whitewater residence halls with bathrooms on only one floor.
Vista Design and Construction was supposed to have the bathrooms at Knilans and Tutt halls renovated by Aug. 15, said Frank Bartlett, interim director of residence life.
The renovation project is expected to be finished Friday.
“The campus, as a whole, is very disappointed,” Bartlett said.
The bathroom renovation at Knilans and Tutt halls is part of a long-term plan to make improvements to all 12 residence halls at UW-Whitewater.
“They were all built in the 1960s,” Bartlett said. “They’re pretty much due.”
While Knilans and Tutt halls are receiving only a bathroom upgrade, the remaining halls will undergo total renovation, including roof, window and heating and cooling system replacement.
The bathroom renovation project at Knilans and Tutt halls began May 21.
When students moved in Aug. 27, only the first-floor bathrooms were available, Bartlett said. To accommodate the students on other floors, the bathrooms in nearby Wellers and Wells West halls were made available, he said.
To compensate for the inconvenience, students living in Knilans and Tutt halls will receive a refund—a percentage of the weekly housing rate based on the bathrooms available each week. The weekly housing rate is $91.25.
David Helbach, administrator of the Division of State Facilities, said whether the state will pursue damages from Vista Design and Construction won’t be decided until the project is complete.
Sep 26, 2008 at 9:13 a.m.
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While I agree with "janesvillean", I must say "prevention" is a bit over-the-top on this. Poor spoiled pampered college students have to walk a little bit to the bathroom and showers. They're getting some of their money back and if they're suffering any mental problems from this, they were troubled to begin with. It isn't like there are no facilities available, just a little inconvenient. The horror!
Sep 25, 2008 at 8:28 p.m.
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So, isn't there some general housing law that determines that there MUST be a specified number of bathrooms and showers within a housing unit per person that lives there? I mean, I can understand that thing that happened last spring, but knowing full well that students will be returning and having some sort of control over it is completely unacceptable. I pray that those students, even those that live in other dorms that have to share their bathrooms and showers, get financially (and mentally) compensated for this BY whomever is the responsible party, whether it is the construction company and/or the university. Not providing appropriate facilities for humans, is completely unacceptable!
Sep 25, 2008 at 1:22 p.m.
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You'd have thought that with a hard deadline like students needing to use the bathrooms beginning with move-in day that the contract would have included penalties and incentives for an early completion (and that the UW system would be familiar with such needs).
Sep 25, 2008 at 11:17 a.m.
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What's up with bathrooms and UWW?
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