This past weekend, Scripps School of Media Arts and Studies hosted the annual 48 Hour Shootout, a competition that calls for teams of Video Production, Media Studies, and other students to create a film from scratch within two days.
Here’s a quick story on the process: https://storify.com/LivUsitalo/48-hours-for-3-5-minutes
A lot has been happening around Ohio University in the way of renovation, but this time East Greeners have reaped the benefits. After a full year of remodeling, Bush Hall on East Green reopened to residents at the beginning of the Spring Semester.
With it’s opening, the dormitory offers suite-like rooms with built in sinks and new cabinets, as well as a spacious lobby area and elevator access to each floor. The building has become more ADA accessible and was specifically built with energy efficient electrical systems.
New public space was built for hosting lessons and social gatherings. Classrooms and additional lounge areas are intended for a more relaxed work atmosphere. The available space will allow residents to hold meetings and extracurriculars right downstairs from their rooms, as well as provide more common areas to encourage resident bonding.
For privacy, additional bathrooms are for single use instead of only communal, as well as room doors that automatically lock. Each room, some built with handicap-accessible features, have a whiteboard and cork board built into the wall.
The cost of renovations totaled out at $9.1 million, a sum that was completely funded by the Housing Auxiliary Reserves.
Students were given the opportunity to request 
residence in Bush Hall after winter break, many of them deciding to make the move because of the construction in their own dorms. Schuyler Fasteneau and his roommate were two students who made the switch. Originally from Scott Quad, the temptation of a new and refurbished dormitory was too good to pass up.
“[Scott Quad] was apparently renovated in the 1980s but it needs an update really soon, it’s just falling apart,” says Schuyler. “There was a lot of loose insulation and exposed heating pipes and radiators… they were sometimes so hot it almost burned my hand.”
Ananda Harris, a sophomore originally from Shively, “love[s] how new everything is, nothings broken and everything works,” she laughs.
When asked for a quick comment about living in Bush, residents say:
“I moved from Bromley because we wanted a more east green feel. [My roommate and I] really like the new rooms and the new furniture…the individual bathrooms are really nice for privacy. Having a nicer room makes things more comfortable.” – Ashley Jordan
“I think making all the dorms like Bush is beneficial, it’s comfortable and a homey style, I really like having the sink in my room.” – Hannah Caldwell
“I moved from Wray house on South Green, the honestly best thing about bush is having a sink in my room. I think making dorms like bush is beneficial because I don’t feel gross going into places like this, like the bathroom and peoples’ room.” -Abby Hahn
The Greens have been undergoing a lot of construction in the past year, between Bush Hall’s renovations, the remodeling of Jefferson Dining Hall, and South Green’s impending demolition. Although the outcome is seen as a positive addition to campus, there are some students who aren’t afraid to share their grievances about the process.
Tess Plona, an RA in Hoover, remembers the worse part: the noise. “When I lived in Washington, they were building Bush, and I actually spoke with my RD about it,” she said. “They were doing construction hours before they were permitted to and it was waking me up repeatedly every morning… they eventually got everything settled, but it took a couple months.”
Current resident Kelly Bergenstein agrees, saying, “the entire first semester, the construction was right outside my window and it was really obnoxious.”
Most students aren’t too affected by it. “There’s a lot of construction going on around campus right now, but I think if it’s for the good of the campus then it’s all worth it,” says Taylor Whittmer, a Bush Hall resident.
Next up for East Green renovations is Jefferson Hall, which is currently in the construction planning process.
Information about Bush Hall provided by Christine Sheets, Assistant Vice President for Capital and Facilities Planning
The Green Life 