New Student Housing Coming January 2013

 About the Project 

This project represents the first phase of a multi-phased plan to improve on-campus housing accommodations at Shippensburg University. Phase 1 will involve the addition of 924 beds in three newly-constructed buildings, two on the North side of campus and one on the South side of campus.

With a focus on providing well-integrated facilities that echo the feel of the SU campus, the buildings will provide exterior areas that support both recreation and study, and are connected to the University’s existing pedestrian network. Interior building amenities will include a game room and common kitchen on the ground floor, as well as social and study lounges on each individual floor. Unit configurations will respond to students’ stated desire for housing accommodations that increase individual privacy by providing in-unit bathrooms within a diverse mix of suite-style floor plans that offer both private and shared bedrooms.

In addition to offering improved housing accommodations, the Phase 1 Project will also provide greater access to student support services and enhance the living/learning experience by providing a new Wellness Center, which will combine the existing Health and Counseling Centers, a new dedicated space for the Honors College, and two large multi-purpose rooms (one on the North side of campus and one on the South side) that can be used for academic and/or community programming.

The Process

 The Design and Development Team has worked closely with the SU campus community to ensure that the proposed facilities not only accommodate the desired range of housing options, but also provide state-of-the-art facilities that will continue to meet the changing needs of the student body. Building common areas were carefully evaluated to ensure that they would accommodate a wide range of anticipated student activities and allow for flexible program space. Proposed unit plans and room types were also studied in detail, and were subjected to market studies and student surveys to ensure that the final development program would be desirable to the broad student population.

 Statistics

• Three 5-Story Buildings
• 924 Beds
• Typical Floor Amenities include: Common Laundry, TV Lounge, Open Lounge, and two Study Lounges.
• Ground Floor Amenities include: Game Room and Common Kitchen, Common Laundry, TV Lounge, Open Lounge, Vending, Common Message Boards, two Study Lounges and a Large Multi-Purpose Room in Buildings 1 and 3.
• Campus Amenities include the Wellness Center (inclusive of the Health and Counseling Centers), Honors College, Public Outdoor Courtyards and a new Volleyball Court.
• Total SF – 306,438
• Anticipated LEED Certified project