Renovation of Bathroom of Syracuse University Residence Hall (Dat Hall) - Article Example

Table of contents Abstract………………………………………………………. Page 2 Executive Summary…………………………………………… Page 3 Introduction…………………………………………………… Page 5 Criteria………………………………………………………… Page 5 Methodology………………………………………………….. Page 6 Conclusion…………………………………………………….. Page 7 Recommendation…………………………………………….. Page 8 Abstract In order to provide a more comfortable residential experience for incoming freshmen, the communal bathrooms in Day Hall which are currently fairly old should be renovated in the next five weeks. Day Hall residents have come up with three viable options: Build individual bathrooms in Day Hall, Replace all of the toilets, showers and sinks, Repair all of the showers in Day Hall and replace the tiles. The interruption this upgrade will cause to resident members of Day Hall is of primary concern; however there, will be additional areas to research. To discover which issues the renovation had to address; Interviews with Leif Olsen the resident director of Ernie Davis Hall and JD Tailor construction company were conducted and costs of all respective options investigated. Importantly of the three viable options and the three budgeting conclusions, investigations revealed that each of the viable options will not require significant pipeline changes in the plumbing system, thus reducing costs. Option one will give freshmen the opportunity to have some privacy while showering or using the facility. Option two would not be costly as option one but will still give the bathrooms a modernized feel students are used to in everyday life. The last option focuses on the student’s complaints about broken showers and old tiles. This report recommends that Day Hall renovates using option two as it will give the bathrooms a modernized feel, besides installments can be completed through SU staff reducing cost. Executive Summary For the purpose of providing a more comfortable residence experience for incoming freshmen, the communal bathrooms in day hall are fairly old, and raise concerns over privacy and cleanliness issues amongst students currently living in the dorm. Amongst the issues for improvements, privacy ranks as of greatest importance, including sinks, showers and toilets that are very close together. The bathrooms are very open and lack the privacy many students would like when moving into college. Therefore, to provide more personal space, renovations or separation of the toilets, showers and sinks in the bathroom area can accommodate new and old students satisfactorily. To renovate the Day Hall’s facilities will add comfort ability to the student’s need of usage, besides eliminating the health risks that may arise as a result. The primary concern of this feasibility study is the cost, duration of downtime, and the availability of SU staff. Interviews with Leif Olsen Resident director of Ernie Davis Hall, and JD Tailor construction company were conducted. After identifying the pros and cons of each option, the criteria where weighed based on how well they addressed the issue in order to quantitatively generate a recommendation, shown in the table below. Bathroom Renovation Cost Downtime Duration Availability SU staff Total Option 1 10% 10% 0% 20% Option 2 6% 7% 10% 23% Option 3 5% 9% 5% 19% After analyzing all the information, it is strongly recommended that Day Hall renovate its bathroom using option two. Planning the renovation with this option ensures that the cost is reduced due to budget constraints, Downtime is also minimal, and the availability of SU staff can be maximized. Introduction Day Hall provides halls of residence which accommodate freshmen students joining the Syracuse University for various faculty courses. Providing them with a comfortable residential experience in of utmost importance. Cleanliness in the dorm and collegiate bathrooms should be of impeccable standard so that they are not exposed to unhygienic conditions that may lead to spread of infections.This renovation will make the experience of their lives within the collegiate community comfortable and healthy. Criteria The recommendations for renovation was determined by weighing the various factors which were associated with the suitability of each option. These criteria were selected because they were raise as areas of concern for renovation, and received different weights out of their significance on the final decision. The criteria listed are expanded below. The cost caused by the renovation was noted as of primary significance. Thus it received the largest investigation.This was informed further by the fact that issues of budget constraints were of significant importance.This left us with the choice of settling for option two.Apart from the cost –effectiveness, it will enable the students have the facilicities that are standard and acceptable for their usage.Costv enables the budget to be effectively manipulated to achieve quality work without compromising on quantity. The downtime is how long the bathrooms will actually be out of commission from the start to the end of the renovation. From the projection encompassing the start and end of the renovation project,it is estimated that the bathrooms will have to be out of use atleast for the next four solid weeks or even slightly more but not exceeding five weeks.In case the renovation team encounters the contrary,then contingency measure will have to be deployed in order not to worsen the situation at hand. The availability of SU staff changes drastically throughout the period depending upon their work schedule within campus and individual commitment.We had to consider the fact that the participation of the SU staff will be a matter depended upon their own volition, and if so, what will the nature of their commitment during the renovation exercise be. If their acceptance to take part, is actually confirmed, what will their remuneration be? Or will it be voluntary? And if their remuneration will be in kind,will it be factored in the budget or their pay will come from outside the budget source? Interruption of use of facility. For the renovation work to proceed smoothly,it will be paramount that for the duration of the renovation till completion,the facilities’ usage must be under prohibition.This is will make work easy.In the mean time student residents of Day Hall,will have to be directed to other available and near facilities within the collegiate community.For this purpose the renovation work must be expedited to lessen the duration of the inconvenience.When the renovation work begins care must be take to ensure that no interruption affect the commence of the project till completion. Methodology Before research began, Leif Olsen was interviewed to determine the factors to be considered before the renovation begins. Mr. Olsen was explicit on how important it was that the timing of the renovation should not pose a danger to the overall time-table of the collegiate. The following steps were taken to determine the feasibility. 1. The course calendar and events was reviewed. The calendar listed everything that was going on at each point in time. It gave us the opportunity to see what would occur a few days before and after the planned renovation. 2. Employee availability was also reviewed because the renovation had to occur when Staff was ready at hand. 3. At some point in the renovation process, some resources would have to be used more than the other. JD Tailor Construction Company was interviewed to give professional insight. 4. The cost of the renovation was researched and the addition of new tiles would make it expensive. Conclusion All of the options that were considered had appealing characteristics. Renovation using option one would give freshmen to afford some privacy while showering or using the facilities through building of individual bathrooms. Option two would not be as costly as the first option as it would only entail the replacement of all toilets, showers and sinks in the communal bathrooms. However it would still give the bathrooms a modernized feel acceptable to students. Option three focused on the complaints by the students about broken showers and old replacement of old tiles. Recommendations After researching and weighing all of the criteria for each option, it is recommended that the renovation commence for the next five weeks. The availability of SU staff will make the work easier and cost effective. Work Cited Kumar, S A. Entrepreneurship Development. New Delhi: New Age International, 2003. Print. Read More