University Celebrates Start of Residence Hall Construction

Participants include (from left) Michael Petty, senior project manager; UT System Office of Facilities, Planning and Construction; Chip Clark, director of facilities planning, construction and operations; Dr. Jim Ferguson, vice president for business affairs; Dr. Howard Patterson, dean of student affairs and director of athletics; Dr. Dale Lunsford, vice president for student affairs and external relations; Dr. Rodney Mabry, president; and Louise Ornelas, representing the UT Tyler Development Board.

UT Tyler has broken ground for the new residence hall scheduled to open in fall 2006. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Dec. 1 at the construction site on Lake Drive. “I want to thank all the people involved in the project … on behalf of the many thousands of students who will call this residence hall their home over the many decades to come,’’ Dr. Rodney Mabry, UT Tyler President, said.

The new student residence will be 79,968 square feet and hold 268 students. It will include:

• 62 double occupancy rooms (12’ 11” by 25’ shared bedroom, shared bathroom and vanity area)
• 48 three-bedroom suites (10’ by 13’ private bedrooms, shared bathroom and vanity area and common living area)
• 24-hour front desk assistance
• Card access locks to suites
• Theater, 30 capacity
• Study, 60 capacity
• Full-time residence life staff on site and staff of resident assistants

Development of a residential student body is part of the university's expansion to a four-year comprehensive university. When completed in fall 2006, 848 students will live on campus in three student housing complexes.

In August, the university opened Patriot Village, a 200-bed apartment style complex featuring full kitchens in 4-bedroom suites. Also available to students on campus is the 380-bed University Pines student apartment housing.

UT Tyler currently enrolls more than 5,300 students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine. More than 70 degree programs are available at UT Tyler, which draws students from the East Texas area and across the entire state, as well as from 33 states and 46 countries.

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