Sep 24 2014
Shippensburg University Student Services, Inc. (SUSSI) and Campus Apartments today announce the completion of the second phase of a development project to upgrade all of the University’s on-campus residences.
Since breaking ground in 2011, Campus Apartments has completed construction on six new residences to improve the quality of housing and reshape the campus environment as part of a multiphase housing renewal plan. The new buildings provide more than 1,800 students with modern sustainable living and learning facilities.
The $65 million second phase includes three new residences on the south side of campus – Keefer Hall, Lackhove Hall and McCune Hall. These living-learning facilities accommodate 922 students with semi-suite and full-suite floor plans, as well as common areas and lounges for student interaction and studying. The new residences provide students with more than 292,000 square feet of living and learning space, as well as green space for outdoor recreation and leisure activities.
Completed in Dec. 2012, the $70 million first phase included three new housing residences, involving two facilities on the north side of campus and one on the south side. The residences accommodate 924 students with semi-suite and full-suite floor plans, multipurpose programming areas and generous study and social lounges. One of the north-side buildings also includes a state-of-the-art 13,000 square foot wellness center, while the south-side building includes a new home for the University’s Honors Program. All three residences were recently awarded the Certified level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
“Our campus has undergone a remarkable transformation since we embarked on this multiphase project to provide students with top-quality housing,” said Jody Harpster, Interim President at Shippensburg University. “All of the new residences provide students with a living-learning environment that fosters collaboration and improves the ways our students interact with one another.”
According to Daniel Bernstein, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Campus Apartments, this transformational project has redefined on-campus living at Shippensburg, which will have a lasting positive impact on the entire University. “We secured highly favorable financing arrangements for phase I and phase II to help the University achieve its goal of providing students with top-quality modern housing. These new facilities will help attract new students and further position Shippensburg as a top-tier University,” said Bernstein.
The project is under the direction and ownership of SUSSI, an independent non-profit organization that serves as the voice for the student community. A third phase of the housing renewal project is still under consideration.