UWG
News Item
Contact: University Communications & Marketing
Phone (678) 839-6464, FAX (678) 839-6645
ucm@westga.edu
Phase II of new housing set to begin
August 9, 2004
CARROLLTON, GA - The University of West Georgia received approval from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to proceed with Phase II of its housing plan for the construction of three residence halls.
The
newest complex, scheduled for opening by Fall 2005, will provide 602 beds
of apartment style housing. The design phase is near completion and according
to Mike Renfrow, assistant vice president for campus planning and facilities,
the University anticipates breaking ground on the project in September.
The apartments will offer two or four bedroom units at a cost competitive with local apartment complexes. According to Dr. John Clower, director of residence life, it is important for UWG to offer multiple living environments.
“Most other state institutions that offer housing have an apartment option on campus and now we are able to offer comparable housing to our students,” he explained. “Residents have been asking for apartments for years and this allows us to meet their needs for privacy and independent living.”
Dr. Melanie McClellan, vice president for student services, noted that the University’s housing plan is market driven.
“We revisit the plan annually to determine the demand prior to constructing new housing,” she noted. “As a University, we should be able to house approximately one-third of our students and we are approaching that capacity.”
McClellan noted that all housing built on UWG’s campus from now on will provide private rooms to continue to give students more housing options. When the apartment units are open, UWG’s housing inventory will offer traditional residence halls (two students to a room and shared restroom facilities per hall), suites (two to four students sharing two bathrooms and a common kitchen area) and the new apartments.
According to McClellan, the University expects to enroll approximately 15,000 students within 10 years. UWG is experiencing a growth in the number of transfer students and retention rates continue to improve, and both of these increases in upperclassmen drive the need to provide on-campus facilities offering private rooms.
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