SEAHO Report - Summer 2019 - 33

Student Affairs around the Region

Georgia Updates cont.
UGA's Russell Hall Renovation Recognized:
Russell Hall is among three University of Georgia
building renovation projects that have received
statewide awards from the Georgia Trust for Historic
Preservation. The building, renovated in 2018,
received an award for Excellence in Sustainable
Preservation.
"Each of these projects was a team effort and they
reflect our shared commitment of preserving our
heritage through state stewardship of our cultural
resources while incorporating modern features and
systems that support the University's mission," said
University Architect Gwynne Darden.
University Housing's Russell Hall, which is the
residence to 1,000 students, went through a 15-month
renovation and reopened in August 2018.
The updated student rooms include individual
modernized climate control and flexible room
furnishings and there is increased bathroom privacy and
lounge spaces to encourage group interaction.
At over 230,000 square feet, Russell Hall is the
largest comprehensive historic building renovation
at the University of Georgia and serves as a model
of sustainable historic preservation-all of the worn
building systems were replaced with new modern
efficient ones, new high-performance windows were
installed, the roof was replaced, and various exterior
repairs were performed including reworking brick sills
and lintels.
The building's renovated interior preserves a unique
mid-century aesthetic, such as the original terrazzo
floors in the lobby, and it also includes at least 10
percent Georgia-based materials.
"We've taken a building with good bones and
transformed it to a modern-use residence hall that
will stand the test of time for another 50 years,"
said University Housing Director of Facilities Gary
Thompson.
Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic
Preservation is one of the country's leading statewide,
nonprofit preservation organizations. The Trust works
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for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia's
diverse historic resources and advocates their
appreciation, protection and use.
Russell Hall has also been awarded "Two Peaches"
from the Georgia Peach Green Building Certification,
which recognizes building systems efficiency gains
as well as the inclusion of 10 percent Georgia-based
materials, as well as the Construction Management
Association of America (CMAA) Project Achievement
Award in the category of Public Building Renovation-
constructed value less than $50M, and the AthensClarke County Heritage Foundation 2019 award for
Outstanding Rehabilitation.
Move-out Diversion/Donation Program Success:
With 19 convenient donation sites, University Housing
residents donated eight full trailers worth of donations
to local organizations and non-profits during the annual
spring move-out landfill diversion program. That's
equal to roughly 20 large open-top dumpsters diverted
from the local landfill.
Goodwill of North Georgia and America's Thrift,
which raises funds for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta,
collected futons, household items, clothing and mirrors.
Live Forward's Housing Program benefitted from open
cleaning supplies, unopened hygiene items, kitchen
wares and bathroom supplies. Project Safe picked up
clothing, food, books and bedding from East Campus
Village in their specialized repurposed ambulance.
Donations to Project Safe support survivors of domestic
violence as well as provide funds for the organization
via their thrift store in Athens.
This year also brought in a record amount of food
donations. Roughly 150 pounds of unopened food
went to the UGA Student Pantry, Live Forward, Athens
Community Council on Aging, and the Salvation Army.
Improving Access to Housing:
For the 2019-2020 academic year, University Housing
awarded third-year Lindsay Ober and first-years Bita
Jadali and Joshua Kim the Jim Day Housing Scholarship,
which offers financial assistance to outstanding students
to offset the cost of living on campus.
SEAHO Report Summer 2019

SEAHO Report - Summer 2019

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