Moving on up

For Dwight Smith, Dalton is worlds away from the brash personalities and seemingly unyielding traffic of his hometown of Atlanta.

“I like it,” the 21-year-old Dalton State College student said of Dalton. “It’s pretty quiet. It’s nice. Atlanta is ridiculous. Just a lot of rude people, but around here it’s more friendly.

Smith is one of 113 students moving into the college’s first residence halls this weekend. Saturday was the first day students were allowed to move into the former Wood Valley Apartments, just a quick walk north of campus on College Drive. The day also signaled a new era for the college as it takes steps to become a full-blown university.

“I’ve been here 16 years and of the memorable days, this is at the top of the list,” said Ken Ellinger, an associate professor of political science at DSC, as he took a break from helping students move their belongings into the residence halls. “Student housing has always been kind of a dream and kind of a goal. To me, this is more symbolic of a new day for Dalton State than anything I can recall, other than maybe when we first started getting four-year degree programs.”

Kristen Wentworth, DSC director of residence life and judicial affairs, was busy checking students into their rooms. The residence halls will house 240 students in one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Wentworth said college officials are targeting having 125 students in the residence halls for the first year, and she expects more to trickle in when classes start on Monday. There are also about 40 to 50 students who completed applications but have not returned their contracts, she said.

“It think it’s a good first step,” said Wentworth, who also will live on campus.

The majority of students are from Georgia and about 30 percent are from Whitfield County. Most of the students are traditional-aged, first-year students, but there are some upper-class and non-traditional residents living on campus, she said. Each fully furnished apartment has a kitchen and there is a laundry facility on site. Cost per person for each semester varies on the size of the apartment. A one-bedroom apartment with two people living in it costs $1,975 each semester per person. Basic cable, Internet and utilities are included in the cost.

DSC faculty and staff are also excited about the addition of on-campus housing. Several arrived at the complex around 8 a.m. to welcome students — and also to provide helping hands. On the muggy August Saturday, students and parents shuttled from moving trucks, vans and cars throughout the day. Residence assistants, a group from the student activities board and volunteers from Rock Bridge Community Church helped. DSC president John Schwenn was even there moving boxes.

Drew Wheeler graduated from Northwest Whitfield High School in May and was part of the Rock Bridge group helping with the moves. By 10 a.m., Wheeler said people had been coming in “non-stop.”

“I’m interested in coming out and having a good time,” Wheeler said. “More importantly, we love people, care about people and love taking care of people.”

He’s taking the fall semester off to work and get a car lined up, then he plans to attend DSC in the spring 2010 semester. Will he live in the residence halls?

“I’m kind of indecisive right now,” Wheeler said. “I’m local, so it might be cheaper to stay at home.”

Back in the apartments, Smith and his roommate, Ringgold native Josh Long, were settling in. They were also getting to know each other, considering they had not met before. Smith transferred to DSC from Georgia Perimeter College in Atlanta. He’s been to Dalton only once to take placement tests at the college.

Long is more familiar with the area. He’s beginning his second year at DSC and is looking forward to avoiding the 30-minute roundtrip commute. He said the residence halls are convenient since they are close to shops and restaurants. The on-campus living option will also bring in more students from different areas, he said.

“I’m pretty excited, I guess,” Long said. “I’m hoping I get to meet a lot of new people.

The roommates said they would spend their Saturday unpacking belongings. Long talked about giving Smith a tour of the town. Although they were strangers until Saturday, they already have one thing figured out: they’re serious about school work.

“We’re on the same page as far as being dedicated to our studies, so that’s pretty good,” Smith said. “School starts Monday, so I guess that’s when the game begins.”

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Dalton State opens its first student housing

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