By Tara Conry
With the demand for on-campus housing for graduate students increasing, specifically among out-of-state students, the University is in the process of negotiating plans for the construction of a new residential complex.
“Each year there is a wait list for on campus housing,” said Melissa Connolly, Assistant Vice President.
Currently, most graduate students dorm in New Complex, but some are forced to live in other undergraduate buildings and share floors with younger students.
Once the new dorm is built, it is most likely undergraduates will move into New Complex, Connolly said.
“The new facility will be designed specifically with the needs of graduate students in mind,” she said.
It is also possible undergraduates and graduates may both be integrated into New Complex.
Adam Rater, a graduate student in the University’s Law School wouldn’t mind this mix as long as it is controlled.
“I wouldn’t have a problem if there are a few undergraduates, as long as there was a majority of graduates and the floors would remain relatively quiet,” he said.
Although the exact location of the new building has not been decided, it will most likely be built in the vicinity of New Complex near the Oak Street campus entrance, Connolly said.
If New Complex becomes populated by undergraduate students, graduates may find themselves sharing the same quad with younger students.
Both undergraduates and graduates seem to agree living together is not the best plan.
“I don’t think it would be a good idea because there’s a large age gap- the average age of a graduate student is 23-24 while undergraduates are as young as 17-18,” Damion Prescott, a first semester graduate student said. “Living in New Complex is a blessing because everyone is mature since it is just graduate and Law students. The things that happen in undergraduate dorms, such as Constitution don’t happen here.”
“I think it would be a little odd living with people that could be six or seven years older than me,” freshman Greg Rice said. “I realize that diversity is supposed to be part of the college experience, but I think that might be pushing it.”
The University is still discussing the exact design of the building with Hillier, the architect, but Connolly said it will probably stand anywhere from five to eight floors.
Until a more concrete blueprint is devised the cost of the construction is also indeterminable. However, Connolly said the project will not create an influx in tuition or add to the University’s expenditures since it will be financed and paid for by residential hall fees and revenues.