Despite past housing issues, the College of Technology and the Office of Residence Life found a way to create an environment favorable to the needs of students in aviation studies.

A component of the housing community was implemented in the fall of 2004 as clusters of aviation students were housed in the upper floors of McDonald Hall. Now, with more time to plan and execute, the new community will be housed together on one floor. “It’s a way to group the students together, more like a family unit,” Sally Dildine, secretary at the College of Technology, said.

With early flight schedules, aviation students don’t have quite the desired college schedule and often begin well before 8 a.m., which is another reason the students are excited about having their own housing community.

“The strongest benefit will be providing an easy contact with classmates of the same interest,” Scott Richter, an aviation student said. “They can all help each other out with problems.”

According to the College of Technology, students of aviation studies are required to lead a life free of drugs and alcohol.

“Having their own community can help them have that sort of lifestyle and avoid those pressures,” said Kerri Fonner, a graduate assistant of Visual Communications Technology.

With McDonald being one of the closest dorms to the University airport, its availability and space became an ideal location for aviation students.

“It just started this year and kids are loving it,” Dildine said. “They asked for it and are coming back.”

Coming back to a full floor of aviation students, that is. An upper-class aviation student will be the resident advisor for the community.

“With the extensive workload and with how expensive the program is,” Richter said, “anything that can be done to improve grades and interest is a great thing.”