million student housing project could affect parking space Students, faculty and staff head to Austin for UTSA Day at the Capitol

By Gauri Raje News Editor

Last month, students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to visit the Texas Legislature in Austin on the occasion of UTSA Day at the Capitol.

“UTSA Day at the Capitol is an opportunity for the university to share its rapid, upward trajectory with state leaders and decision makers by showcasing the positive impact UTSA has on our local and state economies,” Jason Hassay, associate vice president for government relations, said.

By Gauri Raje News Editor

The UT Board of Regents recently approved UTSA’s plan to construct a new residential complex. The $87 million Student Housing Phase IV project was announced over a year after the university opened Guadalupe Hall.

The university currently offers five on-campus housing options — Guadalupe Hall, Alvarez Hall, Chisholm Hall, Laurel Village and Chaparral Village. Students also have the option of University Oaks, which is operated by Campus Living Villages, a private thirdparty company.

Spanning 162,500 square feet, the new residence complex will feature 600 beds, with a mix of “single and double occupancy units.”

The project is expected to be completed by June 2025. Upon its completion, the Main Campus will have a total of 5,183 beds — satisfying 95% of the university’s goal to add 5,400 beds on campus by 2025.

“The new residence hall will be similar to Guadalupe Hall and will be designed with student success in mind,” Josh Gerken, assistant vice president of Campus Planning, said. “It will house first-year students and will include community amenities such as study spaces, multi-purpose classrooms, conference spaces and prayer and meditation rooms. Also, because students voiced a desire for single room options, there will be a mix of single rooms and double rooms in the new residence hall.”

According to Gerken, the complex is being designed for the first-year student experience. It will house freshmen and sophomores and will include “common spaces for study and community-building activities,” UTSA Today stated.

The new residence hall will be located at the intersection of Barshop Blvd. and Tobin Ave., potentially affecting existing parking in the area.

“The new footprint will displace some existing parking spaces, but resident parking in front of the new residence hall will remain for the convenience of our on-campus residents,” Gerken said.

For more information about UTSA Housing, visit https:// housing.utsa.edu/.