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: 6/9/04   SOUTHEASTERN TO BREAK GROUND JUNE 17 FOR NEW STUDENT HOUSING       HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University, in partnership with Capstone Development Corp. and Capstone Building Corp., will officially break ground on June 17 for new student housing.        The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. in the grassy area off SGA Drive near the campus entrance on University Ave.  The location is adjacent to one of the sites of the first phase of the university’s multi-million dollar plan to replace all of its older housing with modern residential facilities. Four four-story structures containing a total of approximately 700 beds will be erected as part of the first phase.       The brief celebration will feature remarks by Southeastern President Randy Moffett, Vice President for Student Affairs Brad O’Hara, Student Government Association President Brett Bova of Hammond and representatives of Capstone. A reception will follow at the Alumni Center.        Students should begin occupying the first new facilities by spring 2005, O’Hara said. With the exception of Cardinal Newman Hall, a 96-bed facility that serves as the university's primary residential building for honors students, all of the university’s residence halls are slated to be demolished by fall 2006. To date, three dormitories – Tucker Hall, Hammond Hall, and Holloway-Smith Hall – have been torn down.        Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., Capstone previously developed two Southeastern housing projects on the university’s north campus, Southeastern Oaks, a 312-bed apartment-style facility, and The Village, a residential facility for student organizations, including sororities and fraternities. The company, which focuses exclusively on providing housing for higher education institutions, is handling the financing, renovation, demolition and construction associated with Southeastern’s housing.