News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 6/17/04   Click on image for publication quality photo ‘DELUX APARTMENTS’ – President Randy Moffett and Student Government Association President Brett Bova represent Southeastern Louisiana University and Doug Brown, president of Capstone Management, and Mike Mouron, president of Capstone Development, stand in on behalf of the developers and contractors as the university officially breaks ground for a multi-million dollar student housing project on June 17. SOUTHEASTERN OFFICIALLY BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF NEW STUDENT HOUSING      HAMMOND -- Wielding ceremonial shovels, Southeastern Louisiana University, Capstone Development Corp., and Capstone Building Corp., gathered Thursday morning (June 17) to launch a major student housing construction project.       The groundbreaking officially begins construction on the first phase of a multi-million dollar project to replace old dormitories with new up-to-date facilities designed to meet students’ space, privacy, security and technology needs.        However, the program is also the third phase of an overall student housing revitalization program that began in 1999, President Randy Moffett and; President, Capstone Development President Mike Mouron pointed out at the brief groundbreaking ceremony.       In 1999, the university opened the first of two new facilities on its north campus. Southeastern Oaks, an apartment-style facility with 312 beds, was followed a year later by the Village, a residential facility for university-based organizations, including sororities and fraternities. Both projects were developed by Capstone.       “Just as we have improved our academic facilities in recent years through new classroom and lab buildings, we are now tackling another important element of campus life,” Moffett said. “By replace our older, date structures with new residential facilities, we are adding another feature to Southeastern’s efforts to attract the best and brightest students in the region to our university.”       Doug Brown, president of Capstone Management, called the latest construction program, “one of the most significant revitalization projects in the country. Southeastern,” he said, “has entered into this project boldly and with courage. I don’t think you will be disappointed.”        The first phase of the new construction program is underway adjacent to SGA Drive just north of Lee Hall, which is slated to be demolished along with all university resident halls except Cardinal Newman Hall. Demolition should be completed by fall 2006 while students will begin occupying new facilities by spring 2005, the university has projected.       Student Government Association president Brett Bova said the new facilities will “mean a whole new way of life for Southeastern students. “We’ve moved up to a ‘deluxe apartment,’” Bova quipped. “We’ve finally got a piece of the pie.”