New Beds in Gorham

For the first time in 30 years, USM has begun construction of a new residence hall. The $8.75 million building is being constructed on the parking lot along the School St. entrance to the Gorham campus. It will be open for the fall of 2001.

Last year, a consultant advised USM that if campus housimg wasn’t expanded, the campus would face a 588-bed shortfall by the year 2000. USM opened the 1999-2000 academic year with 1,100 students living in five residence halls on the Gorham campus and a shortfall of about 100 beds, forcing campus administrators to assign three students to some rooms and use lounge space. Residence halls are at capacity again, with about 1400 resident students this fall in Gorham and Portland.

The last residence halls built in Gorham, Dickey and Wood Halls, opened in September of 1970. Another 250 students live in Portland Hall on Congress St., Portland.

Designed to have a residential look, the four-story building will be located on terraced ground incorporating study lounges, meeting rooms and other modern facilities. The hall will accommodate 224 students in 40 suites, 24 single rooms and 16 double rooms.

By university policy, state funds and tuition monies can not be used to pay for the project. Residence halls must be self-supporting, covered by student room fees.

Construction will eliminate 86 current parking spaces, but a new lot on Husky Drive provides more than 230 spaces. The project also includes improvements to the School St. entrance to campus, including rows of trees, plantings, and a new sign, where an old fraternity house once stood.

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