News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Angey Saucier Date: 11/10/03   SOUTHEASTERN TO WORK WITH CAPSTONE TO REVIEW RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES       HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University has entered the next phase of on-campus residential facility improvements, choosing to initiate contract negotiations with Capstone Development Corporation.       The university, which currently houses more than 1,700 students on campus, is looking to expand those numbers with living quarters that offer more for today’s student, such as improved privacy, more spacious rooms, and technological anemities.       “We currently have nine residential halls and apartment-style facilities on campus, and some of them are not at the level of quality we would like for our students,” said Brad O’Hara, vice president for student affairs. “We have chosen to enter discussions with Capstone to evaluate our building stock on the south campus and we will then review their recommendations on what should be torn down, renovated or built new.”       Capstone has already made its mark on campus with the popular Southeastern Oaks, an apartment-style facility which opened in 1999 with 312 bedrooms placed primarily in four bedroom suites. In 2000, Capstone completed The Village, a residential facility for Southeastern-based organizations, including sororities and fraternities, which houses 270 students. Both the Oaks and the Village are at full occupancy, housing more than 600 students. The facilities are located on Southeastern’s north campus.       Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., Capstone has successfully completed, or is in the process of completing, the development of more than 21,000 beds on 41 university campuses throughout the United States.         O’Hara said current living quarters that will be evaluated by Capstone include Lee, Carter- Harris, Holloway-Smith, Taylor, Cardinal Newman, Hammond, and Livingston halls. Plans for the halls, which include private and semi-private rooms and baths and full wiring for Internet access, will be phased in based on student housing demand. Tucker Hall, built in 1961, is scheduled for demolition during the December-January semester break. Return to News Releases