KSU’s edition of upperclassmen housing University Place Phase II is slated to open for fall semester 2012.
The new phase will boast similar floor plans and amenities—four individual bedrooms, private bathrooms, full kitchen and full laundry room. Unlike original University Place, the new facilities will have Wi-Fi ports within each apartment and elevator access.
The new phase located between Kennesaw State University Road and the existing dorms will bring an additional 451 beds to on-campus housing, which currently hosts over three thousand residential students.
Beyond the expansion, KSU welcomes a new chapter ushered in with Phase II. The university will use this model community to test out more traditional management and payment structures as well as themed housing.
KSU will assume direct responsibility of Phase II through the Department of Residence Life.
This is a departure from previous community supervision through the third party KSUF Housing Management LCC. Residence Life will handle room assignments and other operations within the new phase.
Under the Kennesaw’s management, rent payments for Phase II have been restructured to match those of most schools within the University System of Georgia. Instead of 12 monthly payments, rent will be divided into two installments paid to the Bursar’s Office at the beginning of fall and spring semester.
According to the Director of Residence Life Jeff Cooper, working directly with the Bursar’s Office will allow for students to apply financial aid to rent and streamline the entire process.
“There is a potential convenience to be seen with the two installment model…Students will be able to have their entire housing fee paid for prior to moving in at the beginning of the semester. And therefore, not have to worry about any ongoing payments and any potential consequences of being late or non-payment,” said Cooper.
With its completion, Phase II will house four themed communities. Student athletes will make up one community, allowing them to be closer to the university’s athletic facilities and fields. The second community will consist of sixteen rooms reserved by the Veteran Resource Center for veterans returning to KSU for further education.
“We are very excited about that. It is one way to give thanks to our soldiers who are returning from Iraq and other parts of the word who are now coming back to seek a college education or finish their degree,” said Cooper.
The third conceptual community Engaged Residents with Global Origins will house both domestic and international students within the same dorms to allow them to learn and expand from each other’s cultures. Finally, a community developed with the Joel A. Katz Music & Entertainment Business Program at KSU will house students interested in the program to help personalize their on-campus experience.
Cooper expects greater involvement within University Place with the new additions to the community at large.
Phase II will house a multipurpose room complete with a 1080p projector and surround sound system open for residents’ use and available for reserved programs such as movie nights, dances and other programs.
As for outdoor expansion, Phase II will bring a common ground large enough to host impromptu ultimate Frisbee games and an amphitheater rivaling that of Kennesaw’s historic Legacy Gazebo. While the amphitheater will allow for outdoor relaxation, it will also host entertainment like live concerts and comedy nights.
With all the new opportunities for community involvement in University Place, Cooper is optimistic to see a revitalization of the south end of campus housing.
“For our history, most students have thought of University Place as a means to ‘retire’ while still living here on campus. What we are really trying to do with this new phase is really show we are capable to put just as much energy and excitement into our upperclassmen environment as we do with our first year environment,” said Cooper.
Melissa Butz, a senior communication major and returning resident assistant, will be positioned in Phase II. Awaiting the new community’s opening, she shares the same sentiment.
“All of the RA’s are very excited and look forward to the new residents moving in in August,” said Butz.
Residence Life is currently accepting room reservations for University Phase II and expects the dorms to fill up quickly.
If you are interested in signing up for a room in the newest community on campus visit the department’s website, kennesaw.edu/residencelife/, and click the ‘Reserve a Room’ link. For further information, email the department at reslife@kennesaw.edu.
