Record enrollment this past fall and expectations of even more student applications for coming academic years are prompting leaders at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) to begin construction on a $16 million residence hall.
Construction of that facility will pump significant money into the local economy.
“We have been at capacity in existing residence halls the past few years, so we’re moving forward to build a 264-bed residence hall at the first of the year,” said Chancellor Frank Ayers.
Another immediate factor this past year was that fall student requests for rooms on campus far exceeded space availability. In response, ERAU rented a full dormitory from Prescott College to accommodate 32 students for this year.
Major Construction Project on Campus and in Community
The multi-million dollar residence hall will be among the largest building projects in the community when contractors begin site preparation on the southwest edge of campus across the street from other residence halls.
Site preparation alone will require moving approximately 34,000 cubic yards of dirt, says David Hall, chief business officer at the Prescott campus.
How much dirt is that?
Imagine a football field – 360 feet by 160 feet – covered with dirt 16 feet high.
“Beyond just moving that much earth, we have to dig major trenches for water, sewer and other utilities to the site. Because the 539-acre campus is private property, the university has to provide for all infrastructure, and meet other city, county and state building codes,” Hall explained.
“I need to emphasize that city and county officials have been exceptionally helpful and cooperative as we move through the permitting stages,” said Hall, who had been a bank executive in several Arizona cities before becoming an ERAU administrator in 2002.
The building itself – 67,505 square feet – was designed by Leo A. Daly, an internationally renowned firm ranked as one of the top largest architectural firms in the United States. It has created award-winning projects in all 50 states and 87 foreign countries.
The $16 million construction costs will be funded through a long-term bond issue, Hall says.
Hall noted that the bid process for contractors and suppliers would follow typical bidding protocols – “…lowest and best bid wins the contracts. Our preference, of course, is to keep everything local as much as we can – purchasing, labor, and so on. We know this project will inject a lot of money into the community.”
Once underway, Hall estimates that construction will take 10 to 11 months.
“We are targeting opening the doors for the spring 2016 semester,” he said.
Worth noting is that the same architectural firm is working on plans for the proposed multi-million dollar Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education center, which is under consideration this coming year.
Not Your Parents’ College Dormitory
The steel, concrete and block three-story structure will contain 66 rooms, each planned to house four students – 264 beds. It is designed to be energy efficient and environmentally sensitive.
Each suite contains 720 square feet.
“Believe me, this will not be the stereotypical dormitory that for so long was characteristic of many campuses,” said Larry Stephan, longtime dean of students at ERAU. “The residence hall will be more like an upscale apartment complex. Every suite will contain a fully equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, a lounge area and a complete bathroom.”
He added that residence hall amenities would include elevators, laundry facilities, an exercise room, and a “…collaboration area – a gathering room. And every suite has terrific picture window views of the scenic Prescott landscape.”
Stephan, an administrator at ERAU for more than three decades, recalled that years ago, campus dormitories did not fill.
“Thirty years ago, dormitories weren’t much more than rooms with beds and desks and dinky closets – and maybe a tiny bathroom and a shower. Students really didn’t like them, so they opted for off-campus living when they could. We know better now, so we really focus upon creating a residence hall environment that contains enhancements which appeal to students,” he said.
Currently, the more than 2,000 students are fairly cosmopolitan, representing all 50 states and 37 foreign countries.
“What’s more, because ERAU requires freshmen – we have only a few exceptions – to live on campus, we are confident this residence hall will be the first choice for new students,” Stephan said.
Stephan explained that institutional studies have demonstrated that first-year students who live on campus acclimate more successfully to a university environment, “…academically, socially and emotionally. They become involved more quickly in campus activities, organizations, recreational and athletic programs – all the things that make a university experience a life-changing event for a young adult.”
Both Hall and Stephan said estimated costs for the new hall will be comparable to other student housing.
“We haven’t published firm rates yet, but we anticipate the rates will be around $2,800 a semester, double occupancy,” Hall said.
They also noted the residence hall will house both men and women – “…but not in the same suite.”
Students can stay in residence halls during summer months, too.
ERAU will continue offering specialized workshops, conferences and seminars during summer sessions.
“This new addition will enable us to continue to grow our summer programs,” Hall said.
Hall and Stephan agreed that as enrollment continues to increase and financial capability permits, it is likely that more new units will be constructed.
“Embry-Riddle is in Prescott to stay, and we want the university to be an integral part of and contributor to the greater community,” Hall said. QCBN
By Ray Newton
Quad Cities Business News
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