A transformational plan to densify student living on the northeast corner of The Ohio State University’s main campus was approved on Friday. The North Residential District project will increase the number of student dormitory beds by 3,200 and increase the number of dining, recreation and support facilities for the north campus area. The project will also assist with the process of eventually housing all sophomore students in dormitories by 2015.
“We know that students who live in the residence halls for two years have significantly higher second-year retention and graduation rates than those who have never lived on campus,” said Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. “We are creating another exceptional living environment, complementing work already underway in the South Residential District, incorporating the elements of student success, programmatic needs, architectural innovation, and student and faculty interaction.”
The project will be funded through bonds and university reserve funds. Any increase in room rates will be capped at six percent annually, which is in line with many peer institutions.
Once complete, over 6,350 students will reside in the North Residential area. The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in July of 2013 with all phases complete by June of 2016.
More information can be found online at whatsgrowingon.osu.edu/north-residential-district-plan/.