CSP Preparing for New Campus Housing Construction

The $17 million project comes in response to serious concerns raised by former, current and prospective students about the quality of campus housing, particularly as it compares to other schools in the Twin Cities area and in the Concordia University System.

The existing residence halls, all nearly 50 years old, were in need of major upgrades to electrical, plumbing and heating systems, as well as numerous cosmetic improvements.

Compared to the expense of remodeling and upgrading the aging halls, the university’s research and analysis showed that new construction would be a more cost-effective means of providing a contemporary housing option that better responds to student needs.

Today’s incoming students already are sophisticated consumers by the time they begin their college search; they (and their parents) do far more comparison shopping during the search process than in years past.

Students want - and expect - increased privacy and more amenities.

In fact, research shows their expectations about student life and campus housing are as important to them as the academic aspects of their college selection.

Unlike resident students of decades past, today’s students have little or no experience with shared living space, such as with a roommate.

They bring more to campus; a mini-fridge, stereo system, iPod, furniture, and extensive wardrobe are just a few of the “essentials” for resident students.

For these students, wireless web, air-conditioning, cable TV and vending machines are necessities not amenities.

“In the highly competitive Twin Cities market, prospective students have a variety of college choices available to them,” said Brian Heinemann, vice president for Enrollment Management.

“Inadequate housing can move us farther down the list in a student’s final choice of schools. Modern and attractive housing is not a matter of ‘campus beautification,’ it is increasingly a crucial student recruitment and retention issue.”

Concordia will finance the cost of the project with tax-exempt bonds through the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority over a 30-year period.

Annual facility operations and debt service will be covered by rent and will not affect student tuition rates.

The University expects to be ready for student residents at the start of the 2008 fall semester.

During the transition year, first-year women will be assigned to Luther Hall, first-year men to Wollaeger Hall, and sophomore men and women to Hyatt Village.

Junior and senior men and women will be assigned to university-owned apartments.

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