University of Akron privatizes its student housing

The University of Akron has finalized a multimillion-dollar agreement to privatize its student housing for the next 50 years.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that the agreement shifts management of student housing to a private company and will lead to the upgrade of six residence halls and closure of three smaller residencehalls.

Misty Villers, vice president and chief financial officer for the University of Akron, believes students will be excited about the upcoming residence hall renovations and won't notice many other changes in housing operations. 

The university will carry out major upgrades to Bulger and Spanton residence halls and updates to Exchange Street, Honors Complex, South and Spicer residence halls.

After the renovations are completed, the university plans to close its three smaller residence halls: Orr Hall, Ritchie Hall and Sisler-McFawn Hall. The three house just over 200 students.

Bulger and Spanton, which will close temporarily during their renovations, will see new painting, flooring and windows where needed, elevator upgrades and conversion of their communal bathrooms into pod-style bathrooms .

A connector also will be installed between the two buildings. 

Updates to the four other residence halls will include new carpet and furniture, lobby updates, painting and elevator improvements.

At all six residence halls, a keyless door entry system will be installed that lets students use their cell phones to enter the building.

The renovations will begin in May at Bulger, a 16-floor building that houses roughly 300 students. Construction is expected to be completed at the end of December 2026.

Work will then move to Spanton, a 10-floor building that houses 210 students. Construction at Spanton is expected to be completed before the fall 2027 semester begins.

Spicer Hall and the Honors Complex will undergo their renovations in summer 2026, with Exchange Street and South residence halls following in summer 2027.