New Residence Hall Approved for Construction

The Board of Trustees have unanimously agreed to proceed with the construction of a new residence hall on campus and financing has been secured to begin building. The project goal is to be able to occupy the 70-student dorm by August 2004 to accommodate WB's expected growth.

Architects met with the administration and leaders from the Student Life Office and are finalizing the design of the new building. It will be sited according to WB's master plan in an area just below the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center. Schematic drawings of the residence hall are now available and groundbreaking will occur sometime after the first of the year.

As reported earlier, a record 167 freshman (up 16 percent) has increased students in residence by 11 percent according to Dr. Reno Hoff, the college's president. "We also have an above average number (58) of transfer students. We're making extra room in many dorm rooms and concurrently, we're working with developers to build a new residence by August of next year," Hoff said. "We've been planning for more growth so, it's a nice challenge to have."