Updated at 4:17 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025
Editor’s note: If you want to share your opinions on the temporary closure of Regents Hall and Normal Hall, as well as the permanent closure of Hilltopper Hall, please do so here.
Hilltopper Hall is set to be demolished while infrastructure issues have been found in Normal Hall and Regents Hall, resulting in both buildings being closed for the coming academic year, according to the Student Life Foundation.
The Student Life Foundation, a nonprofit that owns WKU’s dorms, sent a press release Friday May 16, announcing Hilltopper Hall, opened in fall 2018 and abruptly closed in February 2024 after the discovery of facade and masonry issues, is now set for demolition.
Hilltopper Hall was originally set to reopen fall 2026 but estimates were pushed back as more extensive issues were found. It was originally built for $40 million.
The press release stated the Student Life Foundation has moved to demolish the building “after concluding that repairing the building is not feasible.”
The press release said an “independent engineering assessment conducted by a nationally recognized firm” was conducted as a precautionary measure to see if Normal and Regents Halls, both opened in fall 2021, have similar structural issues as Hilltopper Hall. The halls were found to not be compliant with Kentucky building codes. Normal and Regents Halls were originally built for $48 million.
“Regents and Normal do not appear to share the same significant structural issues identified in Hilltopper Hall,”said Brad Howard, chair of the Student Life Foundation, in the release. “However, some components do not meet Kentucky’s commercial occupancy standards and must be addressed before students can return.”
The press release stated that bracing resistant to high winds and seismic activity will be installed on the first and second floors as well as new ceilings throughout both buildings.
The press release said the ceiling and bracing were “among the primary items that the Student Life Foundation needs to address.”
Any additional repairs have not been made public at this time.
Some students will be assigned to live in the Hyatt Place hotel, which the university says they have leased to operate as Center Hall, the press release stated.
Staff of Hyatt Place learned of the change through phone calls of people checking on their reservations.
Maya Dobelstein, the Hyatt Place front office manager, said she was teaching a new hire how to answer the phone when they found out they may be out of the job.
Dobelstein said she expects the entire hotel staff to be laid off.
“They (WKU) have their own maintenance crew, they don’t need our maintenance,” Dobelstein said. “And if it’s not a hotel what do they need a front office manager for?”
According to the Fall 2025 webpage, Minton Hall will remain designated for Honors housing along with several other Living Learning Communities.
Normal Hall houses approximately 260 first year students and Regents Hall houses approximately 375 first year students. The press release stated the closure of Normal and Regents halls will affect approximately 1,000 students.
WKU Housing and Residence Life are currently updating student housing assignments and will be available via phone or email through the weekend.
“Our students and their well-being remain our shared top priority, and we’ve demonstrated in the past that we’re willing to make tough decisions if they’re in the best interest of our students,” WKU President Timothy Caboni stated in the press release.
Dean of Students Martha Sales said in the press release the housing changes will involve remodels and better housing options.
“The changes we announced today, including a new premier housing option and significant renovations to several existing halls this summer, represent our commitment to delivering a premier living and learning experience at WKU,” Sales stated in the press release.
