UF to replace all residence hall furniture by 2016

May 12, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Department of Housing and Residence Education plans to replace all residence hall student room furniture by 2016.

More than 7,500 new beds, mattresses, dressers, desks and desk chairs will be replaced. Additionally, dinette tables and chairs will be replaced in residence hall apartment facilities. The total cost of replacing all residence hall student room furniture is estimated at more than $7.5 million.

This summer, student room furniture will be replaced in Beaty Towers, Simpson Hall, Tolbert Hall, North Hall and in late application triple rooms (LATs) campuswide. Broward East and Weaver Halls will receive new desk chairs. More than 25 percent of student room furniture in residence halls will be replaced this summer. Additionally, all lounge furniture in Jennings Hall will be replaced. The furniture replacement cost for summer 2011 is $2.38 million.

“This five-year commitment will provide students with furniture that possesses a contemporary look with incredible function,” said Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Housing Norbert Dunkel.

Jennings Hall is hosting Preview freshmen orientation this summer. In support of this program, three tour rooms in Jennings have been decorated by UF Bookstore staff and have new student room furniture on display. Tour rooms are open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on each day two of the Preview freshmen orientation schedule from May 13 to July 22.

The removed furniture is being stored pending evaluation for re-use in other residence halls until the replacement project is complete. Old furniture and mattresses that cannot be re-used will be recycled.

Southwest Contract Furniture is the state contract vendor for student room furniture; OEC Business Interiors of Gainesville is the vendor for the Jennings Hall lounge furniture.