BECKLEY, W.Va. — Students at WVU Tech will have a larger selection of on-campus housing when a new residence hall opens in 2020.
The approximately $20 million complex was designed by Katerra-owned Lord Aeck Sargent of Atlanta, but was created with input from WVU Tech students. It will be located at the corner of Beaver and West Virginia Avenues.
“We had a number of focus groups with students to see what they would like to see in their living environment before we moved forward with design and development,” said WVU Tech Dean of Students Richard Carpinelli. “Students said they really wanted to see much more study space and gathering space in a residence hall. So we provided that.”
The new building will add 264 beds to the campus’s 400 current rooms from two existing halls, University and Hogan. Included will be several group study rooms, a fitness center, 60 seat classroom and a 70 seat classroom. While speaking to MetroNews affiliate WJLS, Carpinelli highlighted a 1,000 square foot “grab-n-go” food area that will give students a convenient dining option.
“We’ll operate that late hours. We know that students aren’t always on work hours from 8-5. We know that they stay up late and they want to eat late to supplement their studies and whatever else they’re are doing. They mentioned to us that they really wanted to see a late night food venue.”
Each of the 264 rooms will have double occupancy rooms organized in pods of 32 beds. The pods will be centered around a common area with a gathering area, study area and a kitchenette. Some of the pods will be divided into “living-learning enviroments” in each pod.
“For example, we may settle on an academic program where we’ll house students in an area of engineering in a particular pod so that they can be with one another and assist one another in being successful academically. We may have a service and learning pod for those folks who are interested in providing service to augment their education.”
Carpinelli said communication is a key component of WVU Tech’s mission.
“One of the things we don’t want students to do is just go to class, go back to their room and be alone. What we want to do is engage them fully in all of the activities of the campus.”
The pods will also include spa-style bathrooms. Toilets and showers will be divided into private rooms while sinks will be placed in a common area.
In only its second year on the Beckley campus after moving from Montgomery in 2017, freshman enrollment has increased and multiple programs have been added. Carpinelli can see this trend continuing.
“We are so pleased about being here in Beckley. The Beckley community has really opened their arms to us. They’ve been great partners with us in our endeavor to establish ourselves in this area of the state. We think that this is going to be a great place for us to grow and to serve not only local but the regional and national student population.”
Construction on the new residence hall is expected to begin spring of 2019 with a completion date in fall 2020.