President moves into on-campus housing

Living on campus has been an adjustment for President Dianne Lynch and her family. Since their move in early December a lot of community events have taken place there, which is exactly what Lynch had envisioned the home would be used for.

"When we moved in we had a week before 250 people came through our home, which was stressful," Lynch said. Transitioning from a larger home in New York to the second floor of the President's Home has been a challenge as the family eliminated items that were not needed.

They describe living in the second floor of the Presidents home as a large New York apartment, "It is just what we need for the three of," Lynch said who has two other children who live in New York.

Another challenge has been the loss of privacy, which is something that can get lost in the shuffle of living on campus and construction workers continually refurbishing the home. Philip Coleman, Lynch's husband, said that the way the second floor of the home is designed for privacy.

"I don't think I've lived in a place with so many doors," Coleman said.

The entire family can walk to the family room, bedrooms, laundry room, bathroom, lower level kitchen without even stepping foot in the main open area, where the public could see.

At other institutions, the president's home hosts events, but that is not what Lynch wants Stephens' President's home to be used for. She believes and see's the entire community holding events there.

The president's home is, both public and private space. It is not only a home but also a community space, for all to use and spend time in.

"It'll be a transition, but it will become more public for all of us, including the students once the lower level of the house is finished," Lynch said.

Eventually there will be a sign-up sheet in the president's office where the community may sign up to use the home for events, meetings and even small get-togethers.

Living on campus has been a lot more convenient for the President and her family. What used to take ten to fifteen minutes to attend a theater production or a basketball game, now takes a walk across the street.

"It has been a change to walk over here (the president's house… that took a little bit of getting used too," Lynch said.

Lynch who said she uses her car more than she expected, also said it is so fun walk home on the weekends and see the students around campus.

Lynch's daughter Annie has also really enjoyed the convenience of the downtown atmosphere, where she sees her friends.

Annie, who attends Columbia Independent School, doesn't feel too much has changed for her.

"Right now I feel like (living in the president's home) is pretty private," Annie said. "Yeah, except we're still sharing our home with construction workers," Lynch interrupted.

This is the fourth home that the family has lived in three years. Though the scale is different, the family is happy with the amount of space they have.

"It's cozy, and you can find what you can live without," Lynch said.