Georgia Southern students are speaking out after they are told to vacate The Vault apartments by Friday due to what the city of Statesboro is deeming “unsafe living conditions.”
“As far as relocation goes, my roommate and I are trying to move to another apartment. If we run into any problems I will have to move back to Swainsboro, Georgia and travel back and forth until I find a place to stay. Right now I plan to move most of my belongings to storage or a trusted friend’s house just in case we really have to move out” said Kyle Arnold, a student and resident at The Vault.
Arnold is just one of many residents living in the off-campus apartment complex who received a letter telling them to vacate their apartments by this Friday, April 11. According to Grice Connect, a private structural inspection showed that all buildings at The Vault were dangerous and exhibited considerable structural issues.
In a letter dated April 3, 2025, the city’s engineer stated, “Upon receipt of this notice The Vault has 10 business days to respond as to the actions that have or will be taken to rectify the noted deficiencies.” This notice is a result of unsafe property conditions. According to the report, there is damage to elevated walkways, deteriorating wood framing, structural damage to the stairway systems, and damage to the wood columns supporting the porches of the office and clubhouse.
Despite being given 10 business days to provide a plan to ensure the property is deemed safe by a structural engineer and meets City Code, The Vault’s property management distributed the City’s letter to tenants and is verbally informing them that their leases will be terminated, and April rent will be refunded. Residents are being told they must vacate their apartments by Friday, April 11, 2025.
As Friday quickly approaches, one student resident, who wished to remain anonymous, talked about her efforts to contact the property and clear her apartment.
“I’ve emailed the regional manager about a 30-day extension, but I haven’t heard anything back yet,” she said. “If we do get the extension, I am packing up my things and trying to get out as fast as I can and help my friends get out as well.”
Dr. Shay Little, the Vice President of Student Affairs, shared an exclusive statement with student media. It reads in part, “The Dean of Students Office is available to assist with students who may be impacted by housing issues at the Vault. The Dean of Students Office can also assist students with faculty notifications and other support resources.” The statement goes on to say, “Our University Housing Office is available to work with students who are looking for a place to live on campus for the remainder of the semester. Any students not wishing to live in on-campus housing, should still contact the Dean of Students Office for assistance.”
Dr. Little emphasized that Georgia Southern’s resources are there to help students succeed during times of crisis. “I want to see every student impacted by events like this stay enrolled and be successful in their classes. Georgia Southern is ready to assist in any way we can.”
Contact information for both offices can be found below:
Dean of Students Office
Russell Union – 2nd Floor
912-478-3326
deanofstudents@georgiasouthern.edu
University Housing
Watson Commons
912-478-5406
housing@georgiasouthern.edu
The Vault is located at 1699 Statesboro Place Circle, about a five-minute drive from the Georgia Southern campus. According to Grice Connect, at full capacity, there are 528 beds throughout the complex. It is unclear at this time how many of those residents are Georgia Southern students.
This is not the first time The Vault has faced structural concerns. In September 2024, a letter was taped on apartment doors in building 1100 notifying residents that the building was deemed “unsafe .” According to Grice Connect, the building was later condemned, and building 1100 remains boarded up and vacant. More of the George-Anne’s coverage can be found here.
