Trustees approve exploration of new on-campus residence space, Brees center renovation project

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue’s Board of Trustees on Friday (Feb. 9) approved a resolution that empowers a university team to begin exploring construction of one or more new residence halls at West Lafayette, adding approximately 1,000 beds to meet the increased student demand to live on campus.

Trustees also approved a first-floor renovation project at the Brees Academic Performance Center and a maintenance agreement for the university’s student information system.

Purdue’s West Lafayette on-campus housing has been at more than 100 percent capacity at the start of the last three academic years, resulting in waiting lists, said Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life.

“Because Purdue has been able to hold the line on room and board rates over the last several years and more and more students see that campus living fits their needs, interest in on-campus housing has exploded,” McCuskey said. “This additional housing will allow us to offer the on-campus living experience to more students and support the Purdue Moves goal of ‘Living and Learning,’ which highlights the link between on-campus living and student achievement.”

Purdue Moves is a set of initiatives designed to broaden Purdue’s global impact and enhance educational opportunities for its students.

The university’s Division of Student Life currently provides approximately 13,400 beds across various price points and amenities on the West Lafayette campus. Trustees voted in December for a sixth consecutive year of no room and board rate increase for the next academic year. The 2018-19 overall rates will actually be lower than those in 2012-13.

The university team will explore various sites for one or more residence facility in the heart of campus in what is referred to as the “student success corridor.” The team also will look at various cost and financing options, with the goal of having the new spaces operational by fall 2020.

In other board action, the trustees’ Physical Facilities Committee approved a plan to renovate approximately 10,300 gross square feet on the first floor of the Brees Academic Performance Center. The estimated $2.7 million project will create academic support space, with study rooms, tutoring space, a study hall and flexible classroom.

A portion of the Newell Training Room will be maintained to support volleyball, wrestling and other sports.

The proposal calls for construction to begin in July 2018 and be completed in 2019. The project will be financed with gift funds. 

Sources: Beth McCuskey, bmccuske@purdue.edu

Michael B. Cline, vice president for administrative operations, 765-494-8000