The Student Life Foundation has filed lawsuits against the architect and general contractor for structural damage in Normal and Regents halls.

The SLF filed two lawsuits on March 20 against Sewell and Sewell Architects, the same architects for Hilltopper Hall, and commercial builders Builders By Design. 

The SLF’s suit claims that Sewell and Sewell breached its contract by failing to fulfill the agreed-upon terms.

The SLF is in the process of transferring dorm ownership to the Collegiate Housing Foundation as part of WKU’s new public-private partnership. The nonprofit, which once owned all of WKU’s dorms, is currently responsible for the cost of Normal and Regents halls’ repairs. The repairs are set to be complete before the fall 2026 semester. 

After the SLF transfers ownership of all dorms to the Collegiate Housing Foundation, it will continue to work through litigation involving Normal, Regents and Hilltopper halls. 

The suit also claims Builders By Design breached its contract in a failure to provide “adequate construction services,” “materials and equipment of good quality,” and “appropriate construction means, methods, techniques, sequences and procedures for the Project.” 

The SLF claims that due to the breach of contract by Sewell and Sewell and Builders by Design, the SLF has “suffered and will continue to suffer losses in the form of repair costs, consultants’ fees, and loss of use of the Project.” 

The SLF wants Sewell and Sewell and Builders By Design to pay an amount in damages that will be determined during trial, and cover the costs of court. The SLF also demands a trial by jury for the case. 

Scott Jones, legal counsel for Sewell and Sewell, responded to the suit on March 24. Jones claimed the SLF fails to state a claim “in which relief can be granted.”

Jones cited 19 defenses for Sewell and Sewell, including that the SLF failed to list all necessary parties, that “a portion, if not all,” of the damages were the result of “an unforeseeable act of God,” and that damages were caused by third parties not controlled by Sewell and Sewell. 

Melissa Richardson, legal counsel for Builders By Design, responded to the lawsuits on April 8. Richardson also claimed that the SLF failed to provide a claim in which damages may be granted.

Richardson listed 20 defences, including that the damages were the result of “negligence of the Plaintiff (SLF) and/or persons for which these Defendants had no control, responsibility, or liability,” and that Builders By Design acted within industry standards.

Richardson said to the Herald that she would not comment on ongoing litigation.