Northern Arizona University’s student voice since 1914 Vol. 114 Issue 1 | September 8, 2022 — September 14, 2022
Elara at The Sawmill move-in dates postponed Two buildings at new housing complex are still under construction, leaving some residents displaced to hotels DAISY JOHNSTON
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August, buildings one and two were open for residents. “The management team along with the construction team continues to work tirelessly to get our other residents into their units,” Evans said. Evans added Elara at The Sawmill is trying to put residents in the most convenient hotels as possible. “We prioritized finding hotels within easy walking distance to campus that also offered breakfast and suitable accommodations for our residents to ease the transition of having to stay off-site while construction was taking place,” Evans said. Recent updates sent by the Elara at The Sawmill team informed residents elevator installation has been
completed and electricity is working in the interior hallways. The initial email sent to Building 3 residents came two weeks before the expected move-in date. Senior Jizel Gomez said she heard about Building 4 being delayed in July, but did not find out about her own building until a month later. Gomez said this was supposed to be her first time living off-campus. Now, she alternates between staying with her boyfriend and her friends.
ove-in dates have been postponed for some who planned to move into two of Elara at The Sawmill’s four buildings beginning Aug. 19. Until construction is finished, tenants have the option to receive weekly rent stipends or move into See ELARA on PAGE 7 a hotel room. On Aug. 2, tenants planning to live in Building 3 received an email regarding an occupancy delay and the postponed move-in date. The email thanked residents for their patience and attributed problems with the supply chain as the reason for the delay. “Unfortunately, due to unprecedented challenges with materials shortages and supply chain issues, we are expecting a delay for your move-in date,” an email from Elara at The Sawmill’s team stated. Individuals interested in continuing their lease were given two choices. The first option provided residents with a $600 Visa card every week until move in, without exceeding $3,000. Residents were then responsible for making their own living and food arrangements. For those who could not make their own arrangements, the second option put them in a hotel with $100 weekly until move in with an additional $30 dollars daily for food. “The labor shortages and supply chain issues going on throughout the country are a true challenge, but we are exhausting all available measures to deliver your unit as soon as possible,” the email stated. “We look forward to the day when all our residents are in their new homes, and we can truly come together as a community.” The Elara at The Sawmill team said it plans to send weekly emails detailing the progress of construction and are grateful to future residents for their patience. Mark Evans works in public relations at Elara at The Sawmill. Evans said the team expects everyone to be in their apartments by early October, if not sooner. A student walks out of one of the finished buildings of Elara at The Sawmill in Flagstaff as construction of the Additionally, Evans said as of the last weekend of other buildings can be seen in the background, Sept. 2. Taylor McCormick | The Lumberjack
NAU Cross Country starts with wins at George Kyte Classic
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NOAH BUTLER
he NAU men’s and women’s cross country teams sprinted to a solid season start at the 41st annual George Kyte Classic at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff on Sept. 3. NAU occupied the top seven spots of the men’s race. The women took five of the top seven spots. Schools from all over the state competed, including the recently founded Coconino Community College program. Halfway through the first of the two laps, the runners were generally scattered, with no clear indication as to who might come out on top. However, as the race came to a close, there was a large pack of Lumberjacks at the front. The leader of that NAU pack was senior Drew Bosley, who posted a 22:09.1 for the 4.5-mile course. Bosley was closely followed by sophomore Nico Young, who finished with a time of 22:11. The rest of the Lumberjacks weren’t that far behind the top two, finishing around 20 seconds after. “I think this meet is humbling and can set the tone for what we’re gonna do until [the national meet],” Bosley said. “We want to emulate just being one unit out there the whole time, and I think we executed Senior Drew Bosley crosses the finish line first, closely followed by Sophomore Nico Young, that well the first two miles.” The men’s team looks to continue its success by capturing it’s third Sept. 3. Jacob Handley | The Lumberjack straight national championship. See GEORGE KYTE on PAGE 23