Struggling with overcrowding, Housing and Residence Life will find some relief with the completion of Heritage Hall in August 2010.
The University of West Florida currently maintains six housing facilities with a “built capacity” of 1,490 beds but is operating over-occupancy at 1,623, said Ruth Davison, director for Housing and Residence Life.
She said Heritage Hall will provide 250 new beds. The $17 million “high velocity legacy project will be our jewel and the future of where we are heading on campus,” Davison said.
Decked out in gold, red and cherrywood furnishing, the hall will show Housing moving away from institutionalized-style units to have a “very residential feel,” Davison said.
The phase 1 building, slotted to be a sophomore hall, is intended to target “the forgotten group,” Davison said. “This is where we have recognized a real need to work on retention,” Davison said.
Above all else, housing is a business. Housing revenue projection for this year is $7.5 million with $6.5 million of that expected to cover operating and debt expenses. More than $2 million goes to pay the bond debt each year, and excess revenue goes into capital improvements and reserves for future building and repairs.
The department currently has no family housing or resources available for students, but it may be necessary as the graduate programs continue to grow, Davison said. “We will continue to grow our occupancy, and we project the need for 250 additional beds by 2012 Fall Semester,” she said.
Phase 2 is expected to go before the University’s Board of Trusties for approval March 2010. Davidson said one of the greatest difficulties arises when deciding who will room with whom.
“In the future we will, use a social network type model and students can choose their own roommate, where they can already be checking each other out,” Davison said.
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