Mountain Cottages nearing completion

Written by: Anaya Parker

Starting in December, Southern Adventist University students residing at Reflection Pointe will move into the new Mountain Cottages, according to Marty Hamilton, associate vice president of Financial Administration. This is a delay from the original move-in date of Nov.15 given by Hamilton, as reported in a previous Accent article. Hamilton is working with Lisa Hall, dean of students and director of residence life, to plan the move. He hopes to move students to the Mountain Cottages as they become available, but no date has been set. 

“I am planning for the first week of December to start them moving,” Hamilton wrote in an email to the Accent. “ … We are trying to give students the most convenient time to relocate.”

Because the end of the semester can be a busy time for students, administration is planning how they will help students relocate, according to Hamilton.

“It is getting close to finals, and I am worried I will have to move during finals,” Houston Beckworth, a junior archeology major currently residing in Reflection Pointe, said.  

“What we’re talking about is having some of our support team from the Service Department or volunteers [assist students],” said Hamilton. “We’ll use transportation equipment, whatever we have to help them in their transition.”

Parking has been another concern for the Mountain Cottages; there is not enough space for the occupants’ registered vehicles, so the university has created additional parking in a gravel lot beside the WSMC building. According to Hamilton, plans to pave it have been delayed because of the expense and landscaping required.

“We have a plan to finish and make that a beautiful parking lot,” he said.

Because the cottages are near campus, students will be encouraged to walk instead of drive.

“We actually have a lighted trail that goes up to the cottage. We’re also putting a staircase by Campus Safety, where you could park near campus safety,” said Hamilton. “We expect you to drive your car, unload your groceries or whatever, but on a regular basis, you should be walking.”

Completing the construction has been a challenge; the electricians who connect power to the cottages have been assisting in areas hit by Hurricane Helene. They plan to return this week, according to Hamilton.

“I’ve been on pins and needles because it’s like, ‘When are you going to show up here?’” said Hamilton regarding the electricians.

Construction continues for a new apartment building in Southern Village, as well. The university plans to complete the newest Village apartment by June 2025. The newest apartment was completed this year; students are residing in it. Additional parking to meet the increase in students living in the Village is also being planned, and Hamilton plans to add another road from University Drive into the Village.

Hamilton acknowledges that more parking space is needed on campus but desires to preserve the university’s green landscape.

 “I don’t want a lot of hard surfaces. I want it to be as natural as we can,” he said. According to Hamilton, Southern students should have “ …a mountain experience,” without “all the sidewalks and the heavy material.”

As Southern’s enrollment continues to rise, so will the need for housing and parking spaces. Hamilton said the university has enough space and utilities to build two additional Southern Village buildings and 45 additional Mountain Cottages, if necessary.