NCCU seeks repair money

Dorm heating fix put at $390,000

DURHAM -- N.C. Central University is requesting nearly $400,000 in emergency funding to fix a heating problem in a residence hall that forced the relocation of dozens of students.

The university is asking the UNC system's Board of Governors for $390,000 in emergency funding to fix heating and electrical systems in 41-year-old Baynes Residence Hall. Late last semester, students in 27 double-occupancy rooms on the lower floors of the residence hall were without heat.

"Some kids had gone out to Lowe's and bought space heaters," said Rob Nelson, the UNC system's vice president for finance. "It's safe, but it's not an ideal situation. There was heat there, but it wasn't enough."

Faulty steam lines were the culprit, according to a UNC system memo.

About 50 students were moved to other campus dorm rooms, and the university now plans to fix the heating problem using state operating funds and a salary savings fund.

Baynes is a nine-story, 85,320-square-foot dorm built in 1966. In 2002, NCCU officials planned to close it down upon completion of its replacement. That replacement, New Baynes Residence Hall, has been built and is now occupied, but a space crunch led officials to keep the original Baynes dorm open, Nelson said.

Now, campus officials expect to keep the aged dorm open for eight to 10 years because of space needs. Thus, the heating system must be repaired, Chancellor Charlie Nelms said.

"The whole thing could go out at any moment, so we have to take care of it," he said.

The UNC system board will likely approve the funding request this week.