Clemson trustees approve new student, academic and athletic facility plans
February 3, 2012
COLUMBIA, SC – February 2, 2012 – Clemson University trustees approved concept plans forseveral student life, academic and athletic facilities on campus attheir winter quarterly meeting in Columbia.
The trustees approved a plan to build a $123.5 million studenthousing, retail and activity hub at the east entrance to campus on thesite of the former Douthit Hills housing development. Pending stateapprovals, construction on the project will begin in 2013 with a fall2015 opening date.
The project will be funded through auxiliary revenues. Studenthousing is a self-supporting auxiliary operation that receives no stateor tuition funding.
The project will provide high-quality housing for Clemson upper-classand graduate students and an on-campus community for students enrolledin the Bridge to Clemson transfer collaboration with Tri-CountyTechnical College.
Clemson President James F. Barker described the project as a“high-density, high-energy, mixed-use community in a park-like,pedestrian-friendly setting that will offer the academic and socialbenefits of on-campus housing with amenities and services that supportstudents. This project responds to market demand and provides a level ofquality that will help keep us competitive for top students.”
Gail DiSabatino, vice president for student affairs, said the projectwill provide more opportunities for students to live inspecial-interest housing and learning communities, which data showimproves retention, grades and graduation rates.
Ronnie Booth, president of Tri-County Technical College, has endorsedthe idea of housing Bridge students on the Clemson campus. “It willprovide a supportive environment that will help them make the transitionto college, succeed academically and develop a sense of community, allof which contribute to a richer college experience.”
Barker said the development will be designed to meet energy andsustainability standards and to be compatible with nearby neighborhoods.Design concepts, developed with input from community residents, includea landscaped buffer zone, walking trails and re-routing of roadways tominimize automobile traffic through neighborhoods.
“The site is the front door of Clemson and will sit on some of ourmost valuable and visible property,” he said. “It will be the firstimpression of Clemson for many people, so it’s essential that we do itright.”
Student support operations are expected to include a relocatedstudent bookstore, casual dining options and other services that target astudent market and complement local businesses.
The additional bed space will accommodate future enrollment growthand swing space that will allow Clemson to take residence halls offlinefor renovation or replacement. Priority projects include renovation orreplacement of Johnstone Hall and the Clemson House.
The trustees also approved the concept for The Watt Family InnovationCenter, a three-story, 40,000-square-foot facility to be built in themiddle of campus near the library. In January, university officialsannounced a $5.3 million gift from three generations of the family ofalumnus Charles Watt to help fund the building that is intended to be anintellectual center to prepare innovative students to take ideas fromconcept to the marketplace.
It will provide additional highly flexible space for teaching andresearch in science, technology and engineering. The building will have arobust infrastructure to serve the needs of an increasingly diversestudent community and accommodate current and emerging technologies.
The total project cost is projected to be $16.2 million, financedthrough state institution bonds and private gifts. Construction isscheduled to begin in 2013.
The trustees also approved the athletic facility plan for an additionto the Memorial Stadium WestZone complex. The addition of a One ClemsonMuseum and entrance, known as the “Oculus,” will showcase theuniversity’s athletic, academic and military heritage.
The 6,000-square-foot WestZone Oculus and One Clemson Museum ExhibitSpace will include a lobby, interactive exhibits and displays from theuniversity’s storied past, a rooftop terrace for family gatherings ongame days, a 75- to 100-seat theater, gallery space and three levels toshowcase the university and its military and athletic history. The totalproject cost is projected to be $15 million, financed through privatesources. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2013.
