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» Construction keeps Horseshoe awake By JUSTIN CHAPURA THE GAMECOCK The sounds of roof replacement and woodwork reparations are beginning to grate on the nerves of » Horseshoe residents unaccustomed to the early racket. Brian Crout, third-year chemical engineering student and resident of DeSaussure, said construction work starts outside his window promptly at 8 a.m. “My earliest class on Tuesdays and Thursdays is 11 a.m., so on those days the noise can become really annoying,” Crout said. Crout’s roommate, second-year electrical engineering student Jon Bell, said a tarp had covered two of the apartment’s bedroom windows until recently. “At one point there was a man working right outside the window,” he said. The roommates said they received notice of the construction by a sign posted in their hall. According to Charles Jeffcoat, director of Campus Planning and Construction, four firms are working on the Rutledge, DeSaussure, Pinckney and Legare buildings. C.E.' Bourne Construction, Midwest Maintenance and the Murton Roofing Company are replacing the roofs of the buildings, while the Assurance Waterproofing Company will repair Rutledge’s outer walls and woodwork. The projects are scheduled to continue through September and October. “We’ve received a few student complaints in e-mails, some as late as this morning,” Jeffcoat said. “Every time the issue of construction comes up, we try to accommodate the students and faculty as much as possible,” Bl Jeffcoat said. “No matter what, there will always be some complaints.” Rutledge College is undergoing several procedures intended to give the building a face-lift. A spokeswoman for Murton said they were in the process of installing . a copper roof on Rutledge to replace the older version. Randy Spurgeon, of Assurance Waterproofing Company, is working on wood replacement on Rutledge’s eaves, stucco repair, as well as cleaning the exterior. A copper flashing will replace “Every time the issue of construction comes up, we try to accommodate the students and faculty as much as possible. No matter what, there will be complaints.” CHARLES JEFFCOAT DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION DeSaussure’s older slate roof under the direction of Midwest, and C.E. Bourne will replace the single ply membrane roof of Pinckney and Legate College with the same material. Jeffcoat said the renovations, with design fees included, is estimated at $793,000. Student housing fees and USC’s business office are funding the project. Horseshoe Residence Hall Director Shane Hart said work on Rutledge began early in the summer, and work on the other three buildings began Aug. 24. Hart said Rutledge should be completed by Nov. 1, while renovation efforts at Pinckney Legate and DeSaussure should be finished by Dec. 2 and Dec. 20, respectively. Despite weather threats from Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Gaston, Rutledge construction has continued on schedule. Hart said USC halted construction only once for the week beginning with move-in day to allow students access to the parking lot. Despite the state of the roofs, restoration activity on the Horseshoe is a constant presence. Last April the President’s House was re-opened to the public after an 18-month, $2 million project to repair the building’s electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. “We try to keep the North Areg campus as appealing at possible for how old and historic the buildings are,” Hart said. “It requires constant upkeep.” Three of the four construction firms are involved in other projects around campus, including tile work on Gambrell Hall. Rutledge College was built in 1805 as the first building for the original South Carolina College and since has a history of accommodating the ' state legislature and federal military officers after the Civil War. DeSaussure College is the second-oldest building at USC and was once a Civil War hospital, the home of the first education school at USC and the first female residence hall. Pinckney College was built as a residence hall in 1837, with its addition, Legate, built 10 years later. Rutledge College houses the religious studies department, DeSaussure is home to the College of Social Work and Pinckney Legate accommodates the North Campus Office, the military science department and the Clariosophic Society. All three buildings function as apartment-style residence halls to Honors College students and transfer students. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc.edu ■ RHA Continued from page 1 had in a long time, and we, as executives, are just here to guide them.” Committees also had a chance to present their budget proposals to the Senate for consideration. The Senate has $24,115.40 available for allotment, RHA treasurer Deirdre McCabe said. The money comes from residents’ activity fees. Committees presented budget needs to the Senate. Dan Chassen requested $2,000 for the Community Services Committee to fund the Hands for Hunger Poker Tournament. Veronee requested $12,000 for the programming committee to fund Groovin’ Carolina as well as a casino night, events that he said reaches 7,000 on-campus students. Karin Gardner requested $3,500 for the Publicity Committee, a majority of which she said would be used to print brochures and to advertise. Davida Grant asked for $7,400 for the Carolina Student Judicial Council to fund the groups development and training programs. CTV representative Adam Pennett asked for $3,200 for a new computer and film equipment. In other news, the RHA Senate: ♦ Added West Quad repre sentatives to its voting roster. ♦ Discussed legislation to add ress maintenance problems ranging from broken door locks to flood ing in many dorms, including McBryde, Bates and The Roost. ♦ Discussed construction of RHA’s official Web site, www.housing.se. edu/rha. The site should have information about senator and legislation. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc.edu WWW.DAILYGAMECOCK.COM “GAMECOCK ‘Substance-free 9/18 VS. SO. FLORIDA 9/25 vs. TROY STATE Entertainment. Must 10/9 VS. MISSISSIPPI have valid USC student id. 10/30 vs. TENNESSEE 11/6 vs. ARKANSAS * J Clolka^ ^o kol ikay nod lo coma ffom... bait 1633 Main Street Downtown Columbia (^tdl LACOSTE fi*%. 40**% j&G IstssiW*' %*»PK. Gamecocks Connection! Your source for Gamecocks news alerts right on your wireless phone! Get up-to-the-minute news about the Gamecocks, from the Gamecocks, on your wireless phone. Log on to www.vtext.com and select "Coaches Comer!" 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