OSU regents approve housing projects

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ The Board of Regents for the Oklahoma A&M Colleges approved the development of new housing on the campus of Oklahoma State University. <br><br>The agreement calls for the construction

Saturday, September 15th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ The Board of Regents for the Oklahoma A&M Colleges approved the development of new housing on the campus of Oklahoma State University.

The agreement calls for the construction of one new housing unit and the redevelopment of two existing dormitories to create 300 beds each. The number of the beds created by the new housing unit will be determined later.

The regents approved the agreement _ Phase III of OSU's master housing plan _ at their meeting Friday. The plan with Capstone Development Inc. is for the execution of a combined land and facility lease and a management agreement.

The project will begin with the new residence hall, which should be ready for occupancy by fall 2004.

``We've invested $100 million in new housing at OSU,'' OSU President James Halligan said. ``We're in the process of radically transforming our housing at Oklahoma State into suite and apartment-style housing.''

Halligan said the university eventually wants to tear down the existing high-rise dormitories on campus.

``I think they have served long and well, he said. ``But they should be replaced.''

Halligan also told regents that OSU-Tulsa is close to reaching its enrollment goal.

``We're going to have 20,000 students in 20 years if we stay on this course,'' he said.

He said enrollment at the Stillwater and Tulsa campuses is up.

In other action, the board approved bids to construct an entry ramp at the Public Information Building on the OSU Stillwater campus. The money will be provided from American Disability Act funds.

Regents also approved a two-month lease extension with Hillcrest Healthcare System for 4,000 square feet of building space for the OSU-College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa.

The building is used for the OSU Physicians at Brookside satellite clinic.