On Tuesday, Sept. 26 in a meeting with the presidents of major campus organizations at Auburn University, Nyerere Tryman, executive director of university housing, spoke about ways the university is moving toward a larger and more accommodating version of on-campus living.
The current residential hall construction project adjacent to the Haley Concourse is set to open in fall 2026 and augment 371 beds to The Quad residential community. Added to this construction project is the renovation of both Little and Teague Halls, which will finish in the fall of 2025. Those two are the final projects to produce a fully renovated Upper Quad.
The university, however, is currently at 99.71% capacity for on-campus rooms, with only 14 spaces left vacant this semester. So 371 spaces, while substantial, is not enough to accommodate the influx of students who want to live on campus.
Tryman said that percentage is “great for [the university] and some of our revenue projections moving forward, but not the best for someone trying to find on-campus housing."
In order to compensate, University Housing is looking to create a new position that will help people who aren’t able to get on campus housing find other options of living arrangements. Bryan Rush, associate vice president for student affairs, said this new position will "focus on helping students as they navigate the campus and community market and find housing solutions."
This new liaison position will be able to “point them in directions and give them leads,” Tryman said. University Housing will not endorse any external options as the “golden standard,” but they will be able to communicate with local apartment complexes and assist students in finding a place to live.
There are many students vying for a limited number of on-campus spots. University Housing is well aware of this reality. Rush and the rest of University Housing seek to “help parents and students understand that you can be engaged and successful whether you live on campus or off campus during your first year.”
Through creating the new position, renovating on-campus residential halls and constructing new on campus places to live, University Housing hopes to “provide a solution to all of our students.”
Rush reported that University Housing is currently investing in "mechanical systems and the cosmetic appearance" of many on-campus residential communities. Tryman provided several status updates on those projects.
Aubie, Matthews, Holloway and Talon Halls in The Village were renovated over the summer of 2024, and University Housing will continue to update more buildings in The Village during the summer of 2025.
University Housing is “looking into making capital investment in The Hill,” according to Tryman. Sasnett and Boyd Halls are the only two buildings in The Hill left standing. The new College of Education building is being constructed in the vicinity and set to open in the spring of 2025.
Currently Cambridge Hall is sitting vacant after closing in Aug. 2023 due to water damage and mold. As current construction costs are high, Rush said that University Housing will “continue to look at options and hope to make a decision soon.”
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Sami Grace Donnelly, senior in English literature, began writing for the Plainsman in the fall of 2021. She has served as a columnist, writer abroad, Opinion Editor, managing editor and is now Editor-in-Chief of the Plainsman.
