Plymouth State University in Plymouth, N.H., is constructing its first new residence hall in a decade to accommodate its growing enrollment and provide space for on-campus conference facilities.
The university says the Merrill Place Residence Hall and Conference Center will have living space for 350 students. It is slated to open in the fall of 2017.
“This new residence hall and conference center will increase our on-campus student housing capacity to 60 percent of the student body,” says Frank Cocchiarella, assistant vice president for student affairs-residential life. “And, we’ll be able to reduce the number of students placed in triple rooms."
The added housing capacity means the university will have space for about 2,700 students in eight residence halls and 166 student apartment units.
The new seven-story, 95,000-square-foot building will be built with advanced energy efficiency and sustainability methods. Amenities will include air conditioning, bike storage, a central, communal kitchen, a student lounge and a game area.
In addition to student housing, the facility will have a first-floor, 4,300-square foot multiuse space to accommodate group events.
“The conference center will accommodate up to 500 students or summer guests for lecture-style events or up to 300 people for dinners and other special events,” says Steve Taksar, vice president for finance and administration.
The university will use $33 million in bonds issued by the University System of New Hampshire to construct the new residence. Fees from students living in the hall will pay off the bonds. T
Plymouth State last built a residence hall—Langdon Woods—in 2006.
