UMass Boston to Open $120M On-Campus Student Housing Complex
UMass Boston will provide a 1,000-bed on-campus residential complex through a public-private partnership.
by Adelina Osan, Associate Editor
Boston—The University of Massachusetts Boston is getting closer to achieving a long-held goal of providing students with an on-campus residential option. UMass Boston will construct a $120 million student housing complex through a new public-private partnership.
UMass Boston Student Housing rendering
UMass Boston, the most diverse campus of its size in New England, will offer a 1,000-bed residential complex built using an innovative development model that will be the first of its kind for the UMass system. The student housing facility is expected to open by September 2018.
“Governor Baker champions the cause of education, understanding its transformational role, and he has devoted personal time and attention to this project and has offered wise counsel as we set out on this new and exciting approach to constructing student housing at the University of Massachusetts,” said President Marty Meehan in prepared remarks.
The UMass Building Authority selected Capstone Development to lease a portion of the campus adjacent to the Clark Athletic Center to construct the complex. The facility will be owned and operated by a non-profit management entity. UMass Boston will oversee the student life at the complex, providing resident assistants and other support to enhance student success.
“On-campus housing will allow this most diverse of campus communities to offer every opportunity for its students to succeed, to graduate on time, and to go forth and contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of this state. According to most published research, academic success is positively related to living in university sponsored on and off campus facilities. Freshmen living in on-campus housing have significantly higher grades and retention rates. On-campus housing provides opportunities that contribute directly to student success,” said Chancellor Motley.
In the upcoming months, UMass Boston representatives will meet with neighboring civic associations to discuss development plans in depth.
