Opening delayed for state-of-the-art dorm at SJSU

SAN JOSE (KGO) -- There's an unwelcome surprise for hundreds of students making their way to San Jose State University. Incoming freshmen, promised a brand new, state-of-the-art dorm are finding out that move-in weekend may be more of a move-in mess.

The construction company said this delay was caused by a design that requires additional testing to meet the California building code. They've had crews working double shifts for months to expedite the process. However, the building just isn't ready for students to move into this weekend.

Moving is never easy, but San Jose State certainly didn't think it would look like this. Instead of welcoming 820 freshmen into this brand new ten story high rise, school officials notified students yesterday they will have to temporarily live in a different spot.

Today there was a mad scramble to get the dated dorms ready for one last incoming class.

"We know it's going to be tremendously difficult this weekend, but we are doing everything we can to make it work out," said Pat Lopes Harris, SJSU media relations director.

The dorms are slated for demolition to make way for a new aquatic center. The nearly 60 years of wear and tear can be seen in every cinder block. The rooms were even sprayed for bed bugs just a few months ago, a far cry from the gleaming windows and brand new bedrooms students expected to enjoy.

Campus Village 2 was scheduled to open in July. School officials expect students will spend about a month in the old dorms as the high rise is finished, although that could change.

"We will have an all hands meeting on Monday with the people who are most closely working on construction so we can get the best timeline we possibly can," said Lopes Harris.

University officials acknowledge that the situation isn't ideal, but say safety and security is top of mind as they finish the new residence hall.

"Making sure all the plumbing systems work, electrical, that we have cleaned all the rooms and all the common areas, just doing everything we can to get these structures ready for the students and their families," said Lopes Harris.

To help offset the inconvenience, San Jose State is offering all students a sweatshirt, a $150 dollar gift card to campus restaurants, free storage, discounted housing while they're in the older dorms and professional movers to help with the move once Campus Village 2 is ready.

"They might meet more people, you know, they'll have different roommates in this building, and then when they move to their new dorm, they're going to meet more people, so you kind of just have to look at the positive side," said SJSU student Katelyn Humbert.