University of Idaho to Close Steel House Residence Hall Building
Thursday, March 22 2007
March 22, 2007 MOSCOW, Idaho – The building that houses the Ethel Steel Women’s Cooperative on the University of Idaho campus no longer will be used as a residence hall after this academic year. The structure, built in 1952, would require an estimated $1.2 to $2 million dollars for improvements and updates to continue use of the building as a residence hall. Improvements would include life safety updates, a new roof, electrical and plumbing updates and replacements, carpeting and other aesthetic enhancements. “The Steel House community has more than 50 years of history and traditions. It is our hope that the women who currently live in Steel House will choose to continue living together in a different location,” said Michael Griffel, director of University Residences. “While buildings deteriorate, the ties shared by the current and past residents of Steel House are much stronger than mere bricks and mortar.” Steel House is named after Ethel Steel, who served as a member of the board of regents from 1933 to 1946 and was a leader in the movement to provide cooperative residence halls at the University of Idaho. Steel House is the oldest women’s cooperative in the country. Women living in Steel House share chores and receive reduced housing rates in exchange. University Residences will work with the women living in Steel House to determine if they would like to live together in another residence hall facility. Steel House residents who have signed contracts to live in the building for next year can cancel agreements by June 1 without forfeiting their deposit. Griffel and other university officials met with the residents of Steel House Wednesday evening, March 21, to discuss the building’s closure. Once vacated, the building will be evaluated for future use, which could include offices, storage or demolition. The University of Idaho maintains 253 buildings that encompass 4.4 million square feet of space with 46.5 acres of roofs. The university currently is working to address a backlog of deferred maintenance for all of its facilities totaling $207 million. -30- About the University of Idaho Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract more than $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Its high academic performers include 42 National Merit Scholars and a 2006-07 freshmen class with an average high school grade point average of 3.42. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu. Contact: Michael Griffel, University Residences, (208) 885-6571, mgriffel@uidaho.edu LA-3/22/07-RESHALL
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.