KU Student Housing to build two residence halls; Regents approve construction at Wednesday meeting

LAWRENCE - As part of the goal of the University of Kansas to transform undergraduate education, KU Student Housing plans to build two new residence halls by the fall of 2015. The Kansas Board of Regents approved the $47.8 million project during its Oct. 17 meeting in Topeka.

KU is planning to build two new freshman-oriented residence halls to house about 350 students each. These halls will replace McCollum Residence Hall, which will be razed.

The halls will be located on the western edge of Daisy Hill, near 15th and Iowa streets, south of Templin Residence Hall and north of Irving Hill Road. These halls will combine with the existing residence halls to form the signature look of a residential quadrangle. The design of the five-story halls will provide a mix of public and private areas, opportunities for group collaboration and study, and a smart classroom.

KU Student Housing specializes in providing a variety of living options, building healthy communities and promoting academic success. This is the first new residence hall KU has built since 1967. KU Student Housing has remodeled five of its eight residence halls.

Student Housing will begin accepting online contracts for the August 2015 move-in date in September 2014. Students begin choosing their space in spring 2015. A limited number of upperclass students may also be allowed to live in the new halls.

Construction is expected to begin by January 2014. Student Housing operates as an auxiliary service and construction costs will be funded with the sale of state bonds. As with renovated residence halls, the bond repayment will come from a higher housing rate in the new buildings. It will be paid by students who choose to live in these new buildings, not by general tuition or other means.

McCollum Hall will stay in operation until the new buildings are built. After the new buildings are constructed, McCollum Hall will be demolished and its space used for surface parking.

History of other KU Student Housing renovation projects of large residence halls:

- GSP Hall: renovated and reopened in August 2012

- Hashinger Hall: renovated and reopened in August 2006

- Ellsworth Hall: renovated and reopened in August 2004

- Lewis Hall: renovated and reopened in August 1999

- Templin Hall: renovated and reopened in August 1997

In addition to these large residence halls, Jayhawker Towers Apartments complexes A and D were renovated and reopened in August 2009 and 2010. This list does not include the 12 Scholarship Hall system buildings.