The last time a new residence hall appeared on campus was when Bursley Hall opened its doors in 1968. Now, as the University is more than 30 years older and 5,000 students larger, the Board of Regents has agreed with University officials that the time is right for a new residence hall.
Director of University Housing William Zeller said the need for an additional residence hall has been apparent for years but University support for the project materialized just recently.
Enrollment and the size of the freshman class has increased over the past 30 years, Zeller said, as well as “the need to provide a more supportive environment and retain a higher percentage on campus.”
Housing officials have not specified any plans yet for the new hall. But with the regents unanimously voting to support the endeavor at their meeting last week, Zeller said they can now begin researching for a residence hall that would make an appropriate fit to the campus” needs.
At yesterday”s Senate Assembly Meeting, University President Lee Bollinger spoke of the need for a new residence hall.
Bollinger outlined four main points for supporting the new building: Making general improvements, providing space while other halls are being renovated, promoting living/learning communities and retaining students in residence halls.
“As housing prices go up, we have to be worried that students move farther and farther away from the University,” Bollinger said.
Residence halls are important for community atmosphere, he added. “We want to keep that mesh of interaction going on this campus.”
Zeller expressed a concern about retaining older students on campus as well. “Our primary concern is creating the right mix of students in the residence halls into a healthy community.”
Residence Halls Association Executive Assistant Amy Ametz, an LSA sophomore, said since many students like to stay on campus, the new residence hall would be well-appreciated on campus.
“Older students are a benefit in the res halls,” she said, adding that they can get involved in RHA government or serve as role models for their younger hallmates.
As with all real estate, location will be an important part of the decision although there is no site currently in mind. Alan Levy, director of Housing public affairs, said the location will be made in concert with the president”s campus master planning process. The location will be a “University decision,” Levy said, not a Housing one.
Though all existing residence halls are equipped with Ethernet and phone lines, Levy and Zeller said technology will be a strong consideration in the upcoming development.
Levy said they hope to develop a flexible technology infrastructure “so that it not only meets year 2004 needs but would be accessible for expansion over the next 20 to 40 years.”
“We”re going to do our homework,” Zeller said. “The new residence hall will be used for 50 years. What will student life be then?”
Housing officials will be looking at several different aspects before forming a comprehensive plan.
Levy said they were waiting for reports from two presidential commissions the Undergraduate Education Commission and the Information Revolution Commission. Part of their agreement with the regents, he said, is to work with these recommendations which are expected in the spring.
They will also be looking for student input which RHA is more than ready to give.
“RHA wants to take an active role in the development,” Ametz said. Hoping to meet with Housing officials, RHA plans to express a desire for quiet study areas, TV lounges, additional computing sites and larger rooms.
Though the project is in its beginning stages, all parties seem to be ready to get it off the ground.
“We”re very excited about this project,” Zeller said. “We believe our work will support and enhance the student experience well into the future.”
Daily Staff Reporter Whitney Elliott
contributed to this report.