The University of Massachusetts Boston’s Office of Housing and Residential Life hosted a public forum about the new residence hall dormitory complex, expected to open in Fall 2018.
The project has been completed through and funded by the Public Private Partnership program (P3) and Capstone Development Partners. The project is 60 percent completed, according to Capstone’s Quality Control Manager David Morrisey.
By Nov. 30, the unit and lounge windows, which is the next portion of the construction, is expected to be completed. Afterward, the dining hall and live exterior walls are to be done by Dec. 1.
All substantial completion and finalizations of the dorms’ stability will be furnished by July 15 of next year while occupancy of students in the five-story dormitory complex will be expected by Sept. 1.
The new dorms have taken an extensive 15 years to build. “We considered everything from planning and researching… and it’s really going to happen,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Gail DiSabatino.
The residential halls will house 1,047 students with priority given to incoming Fall 2018 freshmen. A large amount, 85 percent, of early action students have already expressed interest in living in the new dormitory complex. “…This is just the beginning of an enhanced student life experience,” DiSabatino added.
Nick Sweeton, the newly hired associate dean for housing and residence life, said that applications will also be accepted by rising sophomores and upper class students. Despite applications submitted by upperclassmen, Sweeton said that priority will be given to rising sophomores instead for housing.
Keith Waak, the associate director of residential education, will accept and review these applications. He will also oversee and supervise staffing. According to Sweeton, there are 31 student staff members who will be working in the residence halls. Applications for such positions close on Nov. 19.
Melynda Davis, director of housing operations, said that all amenities will be included for students living in the new dorms. “Students will not be charged additional fees for things like electricity, cable, streaming TV options, or anything like that.” WiFi will be available throughout the building. Also, students who receive financial aid can use it for on-campus housing tuition.
While members of the community have expressed excitement for these dorms, some are skeptical of the opening date.
“I had someone tell me just last week, ‘I’ve been on this campus for 27 years and nothing is ever completed on time, so are you really going to open in the fall?’” said Sweeton. “I can confidently say we’ll be opening next fall.”
“We’re building this because we believe the students of today and tomorrow, at UMass Boston, deserve the very best student experience… There will be more opportunities for engagement, for them to be cared for, to be connected, therefore for them to be successful,” DiSabatino said.