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| New Appalachian House in Washington, D.C. under
negotiation |
By Carrie
Baker
Associate Editor
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Appalachian State
University officials chose to keep Appalachian’s presence in
Washington, D.C.
The university is currently in the negotiation phase for a new town
house to replace the old Appalachian House in Washington, D.C. Interim
Provost Kenneth E. Peacock said at the Sept. 5 academic affairs
committee meeting.
Appalachian State currently has two houses for students, faculty
and staff to utilize, one in Washington D.C. and the other in New
York.
Jane P. Helm, vice chancellor for business affairs said Appalachian
State left the old Appalachian House in Washington D.C. after they
were unable to renew the lease in August.
“They did us a huge favor by not selling it or giving us a
lease. We would have to invest lots of money into this,” Interim
Provost Kenneth E. Peacock said at the Sept. 5 academic affairs
committee meeting.
Peacock said Appalachian has instead chosen to focus money onto
a new piece property on North Carolina Ave.
“We just think this is meant to be,” Peacock said.
Peacock said the university decided to keep a Washington, D.C. house
since 1,644 students, faculty, interns, guests and international
guests stayed at the Appalachian House last year proving the facilty
to be an important resource to the Appalachian community.
Helm said money for the new Appalachian House would come from the
University Endowment.
Instead of looking to lease a different house, the university decided
to seek a more permanent situation and buy a house, Helm said.
Helm said the house on North Carolina Ave. will be purchased and
not leased.
Helm said three of the four levels in the house will be for students
and guests while the basement floor is for the resident director.
The last resident director for the old Appalachian House, Paul H.
Gates, said finding a new Appalachian House is critical for Appalachian.
“It really sets us apart,” Gates said. “Very few
universities have this resource.”
Gates said the Capitol Hill location of the new house will be convenient
for visitors.
“It’s such a terrific location close to the museums and
what most people are coming for,” Gates said.
Gates said the new location is approximately six blocks away from
the old house and closer to the Metro.
Gates said the central location is not the only benefit of the new
house. The interior of the new house will be an improvement as well.
“The old place was getting kind of tired and shabby,”
Gates said.
Gates said the Appalachian House benefits students, faculty and
staff educationally by providing a place for them to stay while
visiting Washington, D.C.
“The App House made it possible for me to do my internship,”
senior communications major Ross A. Herosian said.
Herosian stayed at the old Appalachian house this past summer from
June through August while interning at the XM Radio Satellite headquarters
in Washington, D.C.
“D.C. is such a great city. Not enough students know about
the advantage of having [the Appalachian House],” Herosian
said.
“I’m glad they found another one. I’m glad they saw
the importance of that.” |
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