Architect’s rendering of one of the new residence halls to be built on the Guess Hall site. Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Student Housing
In response to the demand for on-campus housing, The University of Mississippi is in the process of tearing down Guess Hall and building two new residence halls in its place.
The preparatory work for demolition has already begun; full demolition of the building will follow and is expected to be completed by January 2015.
According to Jennifer McClure, assistant director for marketing, this $40 million project will provide the university with two five-story buildings with a total of 624 new dorms. The classification of students housed in the buildings will be based on enrollment-based needs.
Then new dorms are going to include outdoor and indoor activity/event spaces and study spaces.
“The courtyard in front of the buildings will be a great space for students who want to enjoy the outdoors,” McClure said.
There will also be a media room used for student housing tours and events for residents as well as visitors.
Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor for student affairs, is very excited about the new residence halls and believes they will make the university a stronger campus community.
“By increasing our on-campus residential capacity, it allows more students (first-year and returners) the opportunity to live on campus and be more engaged in out campus community,” LaBanc said.
The University of Mississippi is also making sure to stay green with this construction. Ninety percent of the materials removed from Guess Hall will be recycled.
“It is definitely the responsible thing to do,” LaBanc said. “As our Creed reads, ‘I believe in good stewardship of resources’ – this is a great example of our university taking the Creed to heart in all that we do.”
The project is scheduled to be completed and open in time for new residents in Aug. 2016.
