Following 18-month closure, Monroe Hall welcomes students and faculty back for fall

by KY HUYNH

Executive Editor

After nearly 18 months of being closed to students and faculty, Executive Director of University Communications Amy Jessee announced that Monroe Hall is open for classes following the completion of the roof reconstruction. The construction was a two-year project, replacing water damage from previous roof leaks.

According to The Weekly Ringer, on Jan. 30, 2024, Jessee sent an email sharing that the building would be closed for a week due to building inspection and roof repairs. Two days later, Jessee announced the closure of Monroe Hall on Feb. 1 for the rest of the Spring 2024 semester. 

Rosalyn Cooperman, professor and chair of the department of political science and international affairs, described when she realized the closure of the building would be extended. 

“I think initially, many people thought that this would be a temporary displacement and then, as they recognized the nature of the repairs that needed to occur, that’s when we received the message that we would be out for a while,” she said. 

Caty Taylor, a junior history and American studies double major, whose classes were relocated out of Monroe during the closure, wanted more consistent communication about the roof reconstruction.

“It would have been nice to have an extra email or two here and there, but I also understand the school’s busy and they’re juggling all of these projects,” she said. “But for me, that was a huge relocation because my entire academic career is in that building for my major.”

In addition to the roof being restored, Facilities Services says the project also involved new walls, ceilings and floors or carpeting.

“Everything was repainted and refurbished, but other than those basic cosmetic fixes, hopefully we have a roof that doesn’t leak,” said Cooperman. 

Nabil Al-Tikriti, associate professor of history and American studies, spoke on the faculty’s concerns about the process of returning to Monroe Hall.

“It kept getting longer, and then it became an issue of do we trust it will really be moving back this summer,” he said. 

Students like Taylor also had reservations about the timeline of the reopening. 

“I remember when I was registering for classes, Monroe was the first room that was offered in Banner,” she said. “It wasn’t Combs and Monroe. It was just Monroe.” 

Cooperman expressed her excitement for faculty members to be back in their office space at Monroe Hall.

“We’re delighted to be back in one space, to be teaching in the building in which we have offices that allow for just a stronger connection between us and our students, and so we’re absolutely delighted,” said Cooperman. 

Taylor has four classes in Monroe Hall this semester and is pleased with the shorter travel distance between classes. 

“It’s been amazing having classes in Monroe,” she said. “It’s nice because I don’t have to travel too far anywhere.”

Additional projects, such as the Simpson Library stair tower repairs, are complete, but additional construction to the building, including rebuilding the brickwork on the east face, is still scheduled to commence this year. Woodard and Seacobeck Hall have a newly completed waterline between the two buildings. The university will now start a stream restoration project to stabilize the banks of the stream and prevent water erosion. Having been repaired and resealed, the top floor of Alvey Parking Deck is now open, but the Marshall and Russell lots are closed for the construction of the new theatre.