Scales Hall will undergo a $13.1 million renovation scheduled to begin Dec. 19, the last of four lakeside residence halls to receive a facelift and forcing residents to move elsewhere on campus for the spring 2017 semester.

“It is more about the people than the building itself,” said David Kear, a sophomore Scales Hall resident who originally moved into Scales his first semester at Oswego State.

Currently, there are about 50 to 60 Scales Hall residents who will not be returning to campus next semester, leaving about 110 students to be moved to different halls, according to Assistant Vice President of Residence Life and Housing Richard Kolenda.

ResLife noticed students last spring of the renovations and made an effort in the beginning of the semester to move residents in who had plans for staying one more semester due to the foreign exchange program, graduation, studying abroad or student teaching. The remaining students will be given first priority to move into the renovated building in fall 2017.

The foundation of Waterbury Hall, which was renovated during spring 2015, is the same as Scales Hall, so the restoration plans for both buildings date back to 2012, when focus groups of students and faculty discussed their vision of the project.

“The design and what goes into it, students have had a great impact on that,” Kolenda said. “It is just that this group of students have not had the impact, it was previous students. The process to put this in takes several years.”

The new setup of Scales Hall, including the exterior, will be similar to Waterbury Hall, with some differences due to student feedback ResLife received last year such as the design of the first floor lobby.

Scales Hall will have different materials and a different color scheme, as well as no balcony between the third and second floor lounges. The front desk will be in a different location. Scales Hall will move the computer lab to the first floor, allowing card access instead of computer technicians the labs have now.

“[We] had to do the same kinds of things in both buildings but [we] still wanted to make them unique,” Kolenda said.

According to Kolenda, ResLife hired a moving company that will move students’ possessions to their new housing assignment with the exception of valuable items which students are encouraged to take home over winter break.

Kolenda said the moving company will take students’ belongings after exam week and take them to climate controlled warehouse.

Although students recognize the need for the 55-year-old building to be renovated, they are reluctant to distance themselves from close friends.

“You are splitting up the friend group that you live together with and everyone is going to go all around campus,” freshman Chris Deriovio said. “We are being forced to meet new people.”

Others are excited to see how the outcome of the renovations.

“It is obviously the one that needs it,” junior Josh Beniamino said. “I would definitely come back when the facilities are updated.”