UT Dallas students helping plan $37 million residence and dining halls

by PegNews wire

New housing will be for about 400 students, the new dining hall will seat about 600.

Students and administrators at UT Dallas have begun planning a freshman “living-learning” residence hall and a stand-alone dining hall, both of which are anticipated to be opened within two years. When completed, the housing is expected to provide accommodations and parking for about 400 students.

Students will be involved in all aspects of the project, from design concept to construction. The total project is planned to cost about $37 million.

“Student input and participation are key to making this project a success — they, after all, will be the ones living in the new center, and it is important to have their feedback throughout the planning and building process,” said Darrelene Rachavong, vice president for student affairs at UT Dallas. “Our goal is for lodging to enhance and enrich the college careers of UT Dallas students, and we believe this new housing choice will offer community living unlike anything we’ve done in the past.”

The new living-learning center, which will group together students with similar interests and majors, likely will be situated on university-owned property on Rutford Avenue.

Exact details are still being discussed, but preliminary plans suggest the multi-story structure will accommodate a mix of three-bedroom, single-bath suites and one-bedroom, one-bath efficiencies for resident assistants. Occupants are expected to be mostly freshmen, and it is anticipated that the furnished suites will include a shared entry, living area, shower, toilet and vanity with three sinks. Each suite entry will be equipped with key card access. The shared living areas are expected to offer a minimum of one window, phone, cable, data and convenience electrical receptacles and a fixed counter in an alcove with its own phone, cable, data and convenience electrical receptacles.

Other plans include a game room pavilion with a lounge, a full accessory kitchen and an outdoor basketball/volleyball court.

“Based on outside studies, we know more students would live on campus if the university had additional options and space for them, so this new facility is a very exciting development in terms of the growth of UT Dallas,” said Matthew Grief, director of housing operations. “The center will allow students additional opportunities to interact with and learn from each other, and it also will provide an alternative, transitional living option for younger students leaving home for the first time.”

A separate, approximately 600-seat dining hall will likely be built at a central location on campus. That building is expected to include outdoor seating, a loading dock and limited parking and would offer additional dining options. Currently, student dining is in the UT Dallas Student Union.

The design portion of the project has been officially awarded to the Fort Worth and Dallas offices of the engineering and architectural firm Carter & Burgess, Inc.

Source: UT Dallas