Schools

No Layoffs Yet Planned for Moon Holiday Inn

A university spokesman said overtime the building will be converted into student housing.

will not lay off employees at the Pittsburgh Airport Holiday Inn for at least one year, said a university spokesman. 

The university announced plans last week to the University Boulevard hotel through an Allegheny County sheriff's auction for $10.5 million. The hotel was foreclosed on earlier this year by owner MJ Pittsburgh Hotel Associates, which purchased the property in 2000, according to property records. 

RMU spokesman Jonathan Potts said no immediate changes will take place to the hotel. He said the building will continue to operate with its current staff under the Holiday Inn brand.

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"I don't think you'll see any significant changes," Potts said.  

RMU has hired Pittsburgh-based Prospera Hospitality to oversee the management switch. 

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"We're going to continue with our policy of allowing students who would like to move in [to the hotel] do so as spaces become available," Potts said. "Over time, we would gradually increase that number." 

This year are housed in the hotel on floors separated from guests. The students pay the same $2,555-per-semester rate that other students pay to live on campus. The university also offers free on-campus parking permits and a use of a shuttle bus that transports them to classes each day. 

Students will have access to the hotel's pool and fitness center. RMU police already do nightly rounds at the property, which is also staffed with resident assistants for students. 

RMU first began renting rooms in the hotel for the Fall 2010 semester. 

Earlier this year, the university opened its 13th on-campus dormitory, Peter Salem Hall, which houses 190 students. Currently 1,679 RMU students live in on-campus housing, an 86 percent increase since 2000. 

"If our current enrollment and retention trends continue we will need more space for students," Potts said. "The Holiday Inn is our long-term solution for the housing shortfall." 


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