Marshall University to shut down 3-story residence hall

(AP) — In the quest to save money in the public sector amid dwindling financial support from the state government, Marshall University officials are pulling the plug on one of the oldest buildings on campus.

Laidley Hall, a three-story coed residence hall, will be decommissioned at the end of the current academic year as a part of the university's ongoing effort to identify campus space that has been underutilized, Marshall's Senior Vice President of Operations Brandi Jacobs-Jones said during the Marshall Board of Governors meeting on Oct. 28.

By decommissioning the building, the university expects to save $45,000 each year in utilities alone by closing the building and vacating students and the programs housed there, said Ginny Painter, senior vice president for communications and marketing.