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Juniper Hall may still be under construction, but New Mexico State University students were able to move in on time, Friday Aug. 16, 2019.
Bethany Freudenthal, Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico State University campus in Las Cruces was filled with activity Friday as students moved into their dorms for the beginning of the fall semester. 

At Juniper Hall, students were especially excited for their move-in day, because last weekend they were told construction on the new $21.5 million dorm, that has the capacity to house 301 students plus nine resident advisers, might not be completed in time. 

As a contingency plan, the school made other, temporary on-campus housing arrangements for Juniper Hall’s 235 residents. But university officials announced Wednesday the dorm earned its occupancy certificate and students could start moving in Friday.

However, students can expect to see workers on-site for the next few weeks as finishing touches are completed. Areas of the building that still require work include common spaces such as classrooms, the main lobby and exterior landscaping. 

More: NMSU to require freshmen to live on campus

Juniper Hall resident Alexis Hein, a kinesiology student from Lovington, said she “angry cried” when campus representatives called with news of the construction delays last week, but when they called to tell her she’d be able to move in on time, she “screamed” in jubilation.

“I probably hurt that girl’s ears,” Hein said. “I felt bad, but I was so excited, so excited.”

Jenna Dunkeson said she has a passion for helping others, so she came from Albuquerque to NMSU to major in pre-nursing. She was happy with her new dorm in Juniper Hall.

“I love everything in it,” she said. 

The kitchen and lounge area on the third floor of Juniper Hall, New Mexico State University's newest residence hall, Friday Aug. 16, 2019.

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The kitchen on the third floor of Juniper Hall, New Mexico State University's newest residence hall.

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New Mexico State University freshman Alexis Hein repositions her bed's mattress in her dorm room at Juniper Hall, NMSU's newest dorm on Friday Aug. 16, 2019.

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Though New Mexico State University students were able to move into Juniper Hall on time, some spaces are still under construction, Friday Aug. 16, 2019.

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New Mexico State University student River Smalley, a freshman from Farmington, moved into Juniper Hall at New Mexico State University, Friday Aug. 16, 2019. He's majoring in professional golf management. "I've been playing since I was little, ever since I could walk, basically. It was nice to be able to have a career in golf."

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Freshman Tyi Johnson, from Artesia, said he is excited to be living in Las Cruces, because it's a cool town. A criminal justice major, Johnson is one of just over 200 students to move into the school's newest residence Hall, Juniper Hall, Friday Aug. 16, 2019.

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Engineering student Brehnan Davis, from Artesia, said she chose New Mexico State University because it's close to home. She said she's excited that she was able to move into the school's newest residence hall, Juniper Hall on time.

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Pre-nursing student Jenna Dunkeson, from Albuquerque said her new dorm is really pretty, and she's happy that she was able to move into Juniper Hall on time, Friday Aug. 16, 2019.

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Secondary education student Destiny Vasquez, right, pictured with her friend Daisy Lopez, from Las Cruces said she is "super excited" to be moving into her new dorm room at Juniper Hall on the New Mexico State University campus, Friday Aug. 16, 2019.

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Students wait their turn for an elevator at Juniper Hall during move-in day at New Mexico State University, Friday Aug. 16, 2019.

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One of the dorm's quad rooms.

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Closet space in one of Juniper Hall's quad rooms on move in day, Friday Aug. 16, 2019.

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Brehnan Davis, from Artesia, who plans to major in engineering, said she was a little frustrated about the possibility of not being able to move into Juniper Hall on time, but she said she knew everything would work out. She said she was really excited when she got the news she’d be able to move in. 

Her goals for her freshman year of college? 

“To make new friends and make good grades,” she said. 

The first day of instruction is Wednesday, Aug. 21. 

Juniper Hall is located north of Corbett Center, and that site has been a residence hall since 1964. The first residence hall at that site was called Women’s Residence Center, later renamed Monagle Hall. Monagle was decommissioned in the fall of 2013 and demolished in 2017. 

School officials said Juniper Hall was originally scheduled to be turned over to the university on June 15, and construction complete by July 24. 

The construction of Juniper Hall is within budget, officials said.

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Bethany Freudenthal can be reached at bfreudenthal@lcsun-news.com, 575-541-5449 or @bethanyfreuden1 on Twitter. 

More: Under construction: New NMSU residence hall may not be ready by the start of school

More: Juniper Hall to be name of new residence hall at NMSU

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