Add as a preferred source on Google

University of the Ozarks Starts Construction on New Residence Hall

  • By Matt Jones
  • 02/22/24

The University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark., recently began construction on a new $27-million residence hall, according to a university news release. The facility will stand four stories tall, include space for 250 beds, and will cover 64,000 square feet. It’s scheduled to open in time for the beginning of the fall 2025 fall semester.

Funding comes from a tax-exempt bonds issuance for $24 million from Crews and Associates, as well as a loan from the Pearl M. and Julia J. Harmon Foundation for $3 million.

“The construction of our new residence hall exemplifies the unwavering commitment of our university to the success and well-being of our students,” said Gloria Arcia, Ed.D., executive vice president and CFO. “This project not only enhances campus life but also signifies a significant stride towards realizing our broader vision outlined in the campus master plan—fostering an environment where students can thrive and reach their fullest potential.”

The new residence hall will mainly serve first-year students, and it will be divided into 10 housing communities. Amenities include single- and double-occupancy rooms, a community kitchen, collaborative space, and common areas that double as shelter-in-place spaces. It will also include features like a gaming lounge, laundry rooms, an office for residential staff, and a professional staff apartment, the news release reports.

“My colleagues and I are incredibly excited about the construction of a new home for Ozarks’ future freshmen,” said Vice President for Student Success Dody Pelts. “The residential experience provides one of the most impactful learning opportunities in higher education. This design will encourage students to create lasting friendships, learn personal responsibility, and cultivate independence while living in a safe, inclusive environment. We are thrilled to be able to offer modernized accommodations for our students and can’t wait to welcome them into the Ozarks community.”

The university partnered with Credo Design Architects for the project’s design and Kinco Constructors, LLC, for its construction.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • KI Launches K–12 Classroom Furniture Giveaway

    Contract furniture company KI recently announced the launch of its fourth-annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway, which awards $50,000 each to four K–12 educators across the U.S., according to a news release. The goal is to address decreasing student engagement and increasing teacher burnout numbers by updating learning spaces to accommodate modern needs.

  • North Carolina District Completes New Elementary School

    The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) in Holly Springs, N.C., recently announced that construction on a new elementary school has finished, according to a news release. Rex Road Elementary School measures in at 133,000 square feet and is the fifteenth school that general contractor Balfour Beatty has completed for the district.

  • Geometric abstract school illustration

    How Design Shapes Learning and Success

    Can the color of a wall, the curve of a chair, or the hum of fluorescent lights really affect how a student learns? More schools are beginning to think so.

  • DLR Group Appoints New K–12 Education Practice Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has named its new global K–12 Education leader, Senior Principal Carmen Wyckoff, AIA, LEED AP, according to a news release. Her teams have members in all 36 of the firm’s offices in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Europe, and Asia.

Digital Edition