Commons Hall to close for renovation

Sept. 18, 2009

Texas State University will close Commons Hall for renovation beginning today, September 18 after the evening meal is served at the Commons Dining Hall.

The action is being taken because of recent problems with rodents in the building. The university is hiring a private contractor from Austin with expertise in extermination and in sealing buildings to eliminate this problem. The work is expected to begin as soon as the building has been vacated. It will include exclusionary sealing at Commons Hall.

We anticipate the work will be completed during the next 30 - 60 days. The building will not be recertified for occupancy until university officials are satisfied the problem is completely solved. There has been no breach of sanitary conditions at Commons Hall.

To make up for the loss of the Commons Dining Hall, Jones Diner will open for brunch from 10 am – 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday and for breakfast at 7 a.m. Monday through Friday. Jones Hall had traditionally not served breakfast and will remain open until midnight each day. Beginning Monday, the university is providing a chartered bus that will run between Commons Hall and Harris Dining Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. However, students may also use the Campus Loop Tram, which serves Harris Hall Monday through Friday until 8:20 pm.

Students choosing to eat at Harris Dining Hall for lunch and dinner and at Jones Diner for breakfast will still be able to use their All-You-Can-Eat meal plan option. Other dining options for students include The Den, Jones Diner, and the LBJ Student Center.

In addition to the Commons Dining Hall, the renovation project will cause the relocation of other offices housed in the building. The university is in the process of locating alternative space for these offices. 

Commons Hall had been scheduled for renovation as part of a four-phase renovation project identified in the Campus Master Plan that included Beretta Hall, Laurel Hall and Brogdon Hall. The work to Beretta and Laurel is complete. Because of the current situation, the university may consider renovating Commons Hall earlier than planned.