Media Advisory: Media invited to tour new Honors Hall

August 13th, 2009

* WHO :* John Sommers, project manager for West Virginia University Facilities and Services; Keith Garbutt, dean of the WVU Honors College and resident faculty leader of the new residence hall; and Corey Farris, director of WVU Housing and University Apartments.

* WHAT :* Media tour of the new WVU Honors Hall

* WHEN :* Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 11 a.m.

* WHERE :* Inside the main entrance ofWVU Honors Hall, located adjacent to WVU s Summit Hall on 2nd Street near downtown campus.

* BACKGROUND :* More than 350 students will move into Honors Hallthe new 91,600-square-foot honors residence hallbeginning Aug. 21.


The 362-bed, $21 million facility has five floors, each with study and TV lounges. Students live in suites, which are two-student roomseach with two bedsconnected by a shared bathroom.


A courtyard and other amenities enhance the facility, including a state-of-the-art multimedia room with screen and projector, a laundry facility, Internet access and office space.


The hall will operate as a residential college, which is designed to mix formal learning with life outside of the classroom. The students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of residence hall activities and they will be encouraged to become engaged members of the University community.