Pegram Hall is scheduled to reopen fall 2010. Pegram had been closed fall 2009 because the Office of Housing and Residence Life had not received enough housing applications. Enrollment determines whether dormitories at Winston-Salem State remain open.
“With the [new] guaranteed housing process, we must now make all dorms available,” said Linda Inman, housing director.
The new guaranteed housing process ensures that all continuing students have a space on campus and the lottery process determines the order they get to select a room.
According to The News Argus article published on Sept. 22, the total number of freshmen enrollment declined from 1,353 in fall 2008 to 789 in fall 2009 because of new standards of admission.
An Argus article published GPA requirements were increased from 2.0 in fall 2008 to 2.6 for fall 2009, and SAT requirements were increased from 700 to between 840 and 850.
The increased enrollment resulted in a housing shortage on campus.
Fall 2008, approximately 207 students had to be placed in temporary hotel housing.
“This year [fall 2009], not a lot of housing applications were received,” Inman said. “Many students chose to move off campus, which led to our decision to close Pegram.”
Errin Allen, a senior marketing major from Charlotte, was a resident of Pegram her freshman year.
“When I lived there, Pegram was still all girls and I enjoyed the small number of residents,” Allen said.
Allen said that Pegram amenities are not available in other residence halls.
“I liked having a sink in my room, and I had a nice amount of space in my closet. It wouldn’t be my first choice to stay but it definitely wasn’t the worst.”
“It’s [Pegram Hall] reopening should be beneficial to the students. It will get some students back on campus and hopefully keep them out of hotels.”
Pegram Hall was built in 1937 and named after Oleona Pegram Atkins, the wife of WSSU’s founder, Simon Green Atkins.
Pegram houses 76 students on the second and third floors, making it the smallest residence hall on campus. The basement is used for storage and the first floor for administrative offices. It was originally made for female students only, but in fall 2008 it was converted to coed.
The Physical Therapy Department is also housed in Pegram.
Pegram Hall will continue to be directed by Ivee Greer, who is also the hall director for Moore Hall.