Housing Project to begin at University

One of the largest, if not the largest, single construction project at Shippensburg University begins Aug. 4 and will end in 2015 with all new residence halls for on-campus students. The project also means changes in roads and parking on campus that will affect members of the campus community as well as visitors.

“Shippensburg University strives to provide our students with the academic and support services they need to reach their dreams,” said President Bill Ruud. “These new residence halls will further enhance our nationally-recognized excellence by providing students with additional out-of-class experiences that will help them academically and personally. When the buildings are complete, students will have outstanding facilities in which they will live and, as importantly, learn. We're excited about this opportunity to meet the needs of our students.”;

Phase one of the three-phase project will include construction of three residence halls, two on the north side of campus and one on the south side. The student-approved project is under the direction of Shippensburg University Student Services Inc. (SUSSI), an independent 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that serves as the voice for the student community and is separate and distinct from the university. SUSSI is the project owner and is responsible for financing and construction.

The overall project includes razing all but one of the current residence halls and constructing all new residence halls in semi-suite and full-suite arrangements. It is being developed by Campus Apartments, one of the nation’s largest developers, owners and managers of student housing. Cost of the initial phase is approximately $70 million with total project cost estimated to be more than $ 200 million.

In 2007 a comprehensive housing plan was prepared as part of the university’s facilities master plan. The university currently has seven traditional residence halls and one suite-style facility. These facilities were built between 1959 and 1976. In addition it leases an apartment building adjacent to campus from the Shippensburg University Foundation. All these residence facilities can house a total of 2,715 students.

When the three-phase project is completed in summer 2015, total capacity will be 2,975 students, an increase of 260 over current capacity.