Update on Mystic Hall

Due to unforeseen labor shortages and supply chain issues, Piedmont University’s newest residence hall, Mystic, will not open in time for the start of the fall semester.

Students were originally scheduled to move into Mystic on August 13.

Piedmont University staff members have worked diligently to ensure all affected students have a temporary housing assignment on campus. For safety reasons, the university went to great lengths to find on-campus housing for all students impacted by the Mystic delay.

Temporary housing assignments have been sent to the students’ Lions email addresses.

Students will move into their temporary housing assignments on August 13.

Piedmont understands that the Mystic delay is an inconvenience to students and their families. A move-in celebration is being planned for a later date, once Mystic is cleared for occupancy, to thank students and their families for their patience.

Students should monitor their Lions email accounts regularly for updates to the Mystic move-in timeline.

Below are answers to some of the questions Piedmont knows students and their families have about Mystic and temporary housing.

Residence Life staff members will conduct live Zoom chats on Sunday, August 7 at 2 p.m. to answer any questions not addressed below. Links to the Zoom chats are provided here and have also been sent to student’s Lions email accounts. Recordings of the Zoom chats will also be sent via Lions email.  

To help Residence Life staff members answer as many questions as possible during the Zoom chats, please email any additional questions you have to residencelife@piedmont.edu prior to the Zoom events.  Please understand Residence Life staff members are fielding an unusually high number of calls. Email is the most effective way to communicate with Residence Life at this time.

What is temporary housing? 

Due to circumstances beyond Piedmont University’s control, Mystic Hall will not open in time for the start of the fall semester. Temporary Housing is used in emergency or extreme circumstances to ensure that students can still be housed on campus and be provided an on-campus living experience, be close to resources and study opportunities, as well as provide a high level of security on campus. Students will reside in temporary housing until Mystic is ready to be occupied.

Where will I be living? 

Students who were assigned to Mystic Hall have been temporarily reassigned to another residence hall on campus. Students will reside in their temporary housing locations until Mystic Hall is cleared for occupancy. Temporary housing assignments have been sent to the affected students’ Lions email address.  

How long will I be living in temporary housing?  

Piedmont University is working closely with the contractor, local officials, and others involved in the construction to open Mystic Hall as soon as possible. Piedmont will keep students updated via their Lions email. Students should make sure they are checking their email account regularly.  

Can I stay in my temporary housing assignment instead of moving into Mystic? 

No, students will move into their Mystic assignments at a later date. Details on the move-in timeline will be sent to students’ Lions email as soon as possible. Piedmont understands the delay in opening Mystic is an inconvenience to students and their families. University staff members are planning a move-in celebration to thank students and their families for their patience. Details will be announced when they become available.

Will I be living with my roommate(s) in my temporary housing location?

The Office of Residential Living is working to keep roommates together in their temporary housing locations. If students were in a triple roommate group, Piedmont cannot guarantee that all three roommates will be assigned to the same room, but they will be assigned to the same building.

Will there be a second move-in day for families to help their students move into Mystic?  

Yes, Piedmont is planning to have a second move-in day weekend once Mystic is cleared for occupancy. Details will be shared as soon as possible.  
 

How should I pack for temporary housing?  

Piedmont is working closely with the contractor, local officials, and others involved in the construction to open Mystic as soon as possible. Students should bring all the necessities to their temporary housing assignments, but they should save their decorations for their permanent assignment in Mystic. It will be worth the wait!

Will I be financially compensated for the delay in opening Mystic?  

Piedmont understands this is a top concern for students and their families. Staff members are exploring options. More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Below are answers to questions Piedmont has received since announcing the delay in opening Mystic:

SAIL: 

Will anything change for the SAIL program and students? 

There will be no changes to the SAIl Program other than the students’ housing assignments. Move-in is still scheduled for August 10 at the Mize.  

Roommates: 

Will students still be with their assigned roommate(s) while they are in their temporary housing assignments?  

Piedmont has done its best to keep roommates together, or as close to one another as possible, depending on the available housing on campus. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Residential Living at residencelife@piedmont.edu.  

Will freshmen be housed with upperclassmen? 

Wallace Hall is the only residence hall where freshmen will temporarily be housed with upperclassmen. The RA staff in Wallace are aware this is happening and are there to support all students.  

Reimbursement: 

Will students be reimbursed for this inconvenience? Will the cost of room and board be reduced for students having to stay in temporary housing?  

The university is working with all appropriate parties to determine how to financially support students and families affected by the Mystic delay. This information will be provided to students once a concrete time frame for the second move-in weekend has been established.  

Packing for Temporary Housing: 

Will there be a modified packing list for students staying in temporary housing? 

We encourage students to bring what they need to feel comfortable. We recommend that students wait to decorate their rooms until after they have moved into their final housing assignment.  

Who will supply any items that will be needed if roommates are split up?  

The only unanticipated item that students will need during their stay in temporary housing is a shower rod. A basic tension rod will work fine.   

Should students set up their temporary housing assignments as if they are staying permanently? 

That is up to the student. We want students to feel comfortable in their temporary housing assignments. Remember that these housing assignments are temporary as Mystic is in the very final stages of construction.  

Do the other halls have twin-XL bedding? 

Not all of the rooms will have twin-XL beds. There is not a guarantee that your temporary housing assignment will have a twin-XL bed. We have several different styles of beds. If you are wanting to know more about what style bed is in your temporary housing assignment, please send an email to residencelife@piedmont.edu.  

 Time-frame for Move-in and Moving Assistance: 

Is there an estimate for how long students will be in temporary housing? 

Piedmont is working with the construction company and local officials to finalize a timeframe for Mystic’s opening. Once we have that information, it will be communicated to students and their families.   

Will students have assistance moving from their temporary housing assignment into Mystic? 

Yes! Piedmont is working on plans for Mystic move-in celebration. During that event, volunteers will be available to help students move in. 

When is the final inspection for Mystic? Is there a set date for this? 

We’re working to complete all final inspections as soon as possible.  

Why were there delays in communication about the status of Mystic? 

The two main factors have been supply-chain issues and labor shortages. These same factors are affecting industries of all kinds, not just construction. Mystic is in the very final stages, with only a few punch-list items and final inspections remaining. We are working to open Mystic as soon as possible. 

Off-Campus Housing 

Rather than moving into a temporary housing assignment, can students who live close to campus choose to commute until Mystic is open?  

It is Piedmont’s policy that first-year students and athletes reside on campus. The relationships student crate while living on campus are vital to their long-term success in college.  If you need or are requesting an exception to this policy, please email residencelife@piedmont.edu or kcrwaford@piedmont.edu.  

Is temporary housing on or off campus? Can students stay in a hotel instead?  

Temporary housing assignments are on campus, in the following residence halls: Purcell, Wallace, and GB. All of the residence halls have been cleaned and are in tip-top shape for move-in weekend. For safety reasons, Piedmont worked to ensure all students would have a temporary housing assignment on campus. You can email residencelife@piedmont.edu with any concerns.  

How long will students have to wait before moving into Mystic? 

The university is working to finalize a timeframe and will communicate that information to students and their families as soon as possible.  

Temporary Housing Assignments: 

What are students supposed to do with the wire rack system in Purcell since there is no closet? 

We suggest using a tension rod to hang a curtain in front of the rack system.  

What if we bought items to store under a raised bed? Will we be allowed to raise the bed in our temporary housing assignment?  

The bed styles differ from building to building. If you would like to reach out to Residence Life for more information about the bed style in your specific room, please send an email to residencelife@piedmont.edu. Twin or twin-XL sheets will fit all of the beds in the temporary housing locations.  

Miscellaneous 

Will freshmen students have the same RA when they move to Mystic? 

The Mystic RA staff will also be living in temporary housing assignments with the students. The RA in students’ temporary housing assignments may not end up being the students’ floor RA in Mystic, but the RA will still live in Mystic and will be a resource for all students.   

What appliances are offered in the temporary housing units?  

Each room on campus is furnished with a full-size fridge and microwave. Piedmont is in the process of adding a stove to Purcell. 

What size curtain rods will need to be purchased for the showers in temporary housing?  

A standard curtain/shower rod will be fine.  

What buildings have elevators?  

Purcell has an elevator, however Wallace and GB do not. Move-in crews will be available to help move students and unload items.