UWF breaks ground on new residence hall
The University of West Florida will have an additional 250 students living on campus for fall semester 2010.
In what is currently being called the “Housing Expansion 2010,” the residence hall will be a five-story facility located west of UWF’s Martin Hall. Constructed by The Haskell Company, accommodations will include three-and four-student suites and each floor of the residence will have a kitchen and lounge area for students.
The design lends itself to students living together grouped around particular academic and extracurricular interests. The building will also provide optimal spaces for study and informal socialization.
“This building is being designed to attract sophomores and juniors to on-campus living,” said Ruth Davison, director of Housing and Residence Life. “We have a room selection process during spring semester where current residents can choose their space for the next academic year.”
Discussion and planning for the “Housing Expansion 2010” has been underway for the past several years by the Housing and Residence Life Master Plan Task Force. The task force was charged with creating a Building Master Plan for Housing and Residence Life at UWF that would be consistent with and integrated into the University Master Plan. The Task Force had representation from current students, faculty, alumni, the UWF Foundation and UWF staff.
“Providing additional housing at UWF will add to our student life and campus life,” said Judy Bense, UWF President. “The expansion is necessary to accommodate the growing number of students who wish to live on campus. Housing has opened at over 100 percent occupancy for the past three years and we anticipate the same for fall 2009.”
UWF offers four other residence hall communities, as well as two apartment-style communities. These include Argo, Martin, Pace and Southside Village Residence Halls, as well as University Village East and University Village West.
“One of the most important advantages to living in a residence hall is that it allows each student the opportunity to easily meet others and involve themselves in activities that take place on campus, said Davison. “It is those experiences that improve the chance of a successful transition to college life.”
For more information, contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life at (850) 474-2217 or e-mail housing@uwf.edu.
Written by Janice Cooper, University Marketing Communications
