The new building, designed to match the University’s existing residence halls, will be built near the other structures off Rutford Avenue.
New Structure to House 400 Students with a Target Opening Date of Fall 2013
The UT System Board of Regents has approved plans to construct a fourth residence hall at UT Dallas in time for the fall 2013 semester.
Construction will begin this fall on the 400-bed facility, leapfrogging plans for an already approved 600-bed residence hall and dining facility targeted to open in August 2014.
Increasing enrollment and a demand for on-campus living have sped up construction plans for what will be the University’s fourth housing structure in five years. The new facility, to be built just west of Residence Hall South off Rutford Avenue, will replicate existing residence halls, including one set to open this August.
With student enrollment up 27 percent over the last four years, the University has helped students identify apartments within a 3-mile radius of campus, and has partnered with the city of Richardson to expand bus routes that will accommodate more students in off-campus apartments. But providing more on-campus housing is a priority, said President David E. Daniel.
The building’s first floor will include a lounge and recreation area.
“Our residence halls are desirable because our University does an excellent job of educating our students, and because such care and thought has gone into providing a high-quality residential experience that supports academic progress,” Dr. Daniel said. “Our administrative and facilities people have done an excellent job of getting these much-needed residence halls on the way to completion.”
Like the other residence halls, the new four-story building’s entry will feature a 1,800-square-foot rotunda. Its first floor will include a lounge and recreation area with a kitchen, laundry room, mailroom, study room, classroom, restrooms and offices. The second floor includes additional study areas and a media room that can function as a classroom if needed.
Each student suite will include a living area furnished with a couch and chair; a shower, toilet and vanity with three sinks; and a lockable sleeping room with a bed, dresser, bookcase, desk and chair for each occupant. Living areas will have built-in counters with phone, cable, data and convenience electrical outlets, and an area for a small refrigerator.
Housing construction has been ongoing since 2009, when UT Dallas opened its first residence hall, followed by a second in 2011 and a third last August.
Current student housing is operating at 100 percent occupancy, said Matt Grief, assistant vice president for Student Affairs. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but those who do are required to live in the Residence Halls, subject to availability.
“We’re excited about this new residence hall, which expands our ability to provide housing for UT Dallas students,” Grief said.
“We firmly believe that students who choose to live on campus have a more well-rounded collegiate experience, simply because they’re right in the mix of things. From being nearer to professors and academic resources like the McDermott Library and the Student Success Center, to onsite dining options, to social activities, campus living has almost all they need to reach their goals,” he said.
The estimated cost of the project is $31 million. The design is being managed by the engineering and architectural firm Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.