University grows in size and stature
Nationally recognized RWU experiences building boom; school will not renew King Philip lease
BRISTOL — When the dust settles this summer, a $90 million-construction boom at Roger Williams University will be complete after a year’s flurry of activity. The school will now have new facilities to boast alongside a recent US News and World Report story that ranked it eighth among the country’s top bachelorette schools.
“These will cater to the higher-quality education students have come to expect,” said Joseph Pangborn, vice president and chief information officer at the university. “All this construction in a 14-month period is pretty much unprecedented for a school of our size.”
The student population has almost doubled over the past eight years and the new construction will provide the infrastructure the growth has necessitated — there are 3,800 under-graduate students; the graduate and law student populations consist of 600 students each.
“We’re basically right-sizing the facilities to the students,” said Mr. Pangborn, who is in charge of capital projects for RWU. “It’s something that’s been needed for a while.”
Nearly two hundred workers are on campus daily constructing the new buildings, which include a state-of-the-art learning center, student residences, an admissions house, a parking gargage (completed) and an addition to the marine and natural sciences building. Mr. Pangborn said the projects were partially funded through surpluses over the past few years and bond money.
The most visible construction from Rte. 136 is the new north campus residence hall, which will house 345 students in suites and apartments.
“The new residences will allow us to move students out of King Philip and Founders Brook,” he said, as well as alleviate some minor crowding in existing campus housing.
The King Philip Tower and apartments on Metacom Avenue housed 190 students at full occupancy and the university will not lease the buildings after the school year ends. The closings will significantly reduce the number of students living off campus, leaving the Almeida Apartments and Bay Point residences the only remaining off-campus housing.
A lottery system is responsible for determing where students reside. Housing rates for the new north campus residence hall, which will feature a coffee and convenience shop, a courtyard, an activity area, a music “jam” room and study areas, have not yet been established.
Tags: Roger Williams University, RWU