Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of Montana Breaks Ground on New Residence Hall

  • By Matt Jones
  • 08/21/24

The University of Montana in Missoula, Mont., recently broke ground on a new, 600-bed residence hall to address housing needs on campus, according to a university news release. The university has seen three consecutive years of enrollment growth against the backdrop of a local housing market less than conducive to student needs.

“We know that when students live on campus, they build community, they succeed in the classroom and they enhance their college experience,” said Seth Bodnar, university president. “This is not just a building. It will be a place that enhances the success of our students through advanced community building and affordable, safe living.”

Construction is scheduled to start this fall and has an estimated completion date of fall 2027. The university currently sees an on-campus population of about 2,000, and 1,000 more students live in university-owned off-campus properties, the news release reports.

“At UM, our residence halls are critical to the educational and social journey of our college years,” said McKenlie Ballard, student and community development coordinator at UM. “For many students, there isn’t a place where they will spend more time during their years at UM than their residence hall. Our residence halls are the place where students meet their friends, begin to learn the lessons of adulthood and discover who they truly are.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.

  • Girl Sitting at Library Desk, Using Laptop

    How Campus Design Shapes the Finals Week Experience

    Academic performance is not just about preparation. It is closely tied to how students manage stress, maintain their energy, and shift between work and recovery modes. Much of that is influenced, directly or indirectly, by design.

  • Cleveland High School Breaks Ground on Modernization

    Portland Public Schools in Portland, Ore., recently announced that construction has begun on a modernization project for Cleveland High School, according to a news release. The existing building will be replaced with a new, 300,000-square-foot facility at the same site.

  • Compton High School

    Compton High School

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Compton High School has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.