March 1, 2016
By Demian Nunez
(THE PICKET) Members of the Shepherd University community were conspicuously absent at a Monday meeting called to discuss plans for a $20 million dormitory on West campus.
The plans, however, drew the attention of area media, who primarily wanted to know how the 290 bed residential hall will be funded.
University Vice President for Administration James Vigil told the slim crowd that the university planned to borrow the money on a low interest loan from the USDA through the Shepherd University Foundation, because its non-profit status, exempts it from federal taxes. Dorm fees will be used to pay off the loan, Vigil said.
The dormitory is being developed by EdR, a real estate development and construction company in Tennessee.
The new building would improve dorm living by featuring air conditioning and private baths, which are lacking in older University dorms. The building would replace Turner Hall, which was built in 1961
Better housing may improve Shepherd’s retention rate by enticing students to stay in school, Vigil said. The new dorm would boost the school’s resident population to 40 percent, he said. Officials also anticipate the dorm would attract more out-of-state and international students.
“Studies have shown that resident students are more successful in college, there are too many distractions between here and home off campus and a lot of [commuter] students don’t make it all the way through ,” Vigil said.
Two types of units will be available, single bedrooms suites with two bedrooms adjoining a common area and bathroom, and double bedrooms suites with two double occupancy rooms adjoining a common area and bathroom, so no more than two bedrooms rooms will share the same bathrooms.
The five story building will have four residential floors. Each of the residential floors will have two study lounges and an open lounge, and the ground floor will have a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, as well as a 25 to 30 seat classroom to be used by teachers and residential life, a common lounge, and a convenience store. Outside, there will be a community lawn for students to relax and play in.
The proposed location is where the tennis courts are on the corner of West Campus Drive. Final approval is expected in May, and the hall is expected to be complete and ready for operation in time for the fall 2017 semester.
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