NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

1/26/2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES ­Northwestern State University held groundbreaking ceremonies Wednesday for a new 380-bed residence hall, which should be complete in time for the fall semester.

The residence hall will be located near the Teacher Education Center and the Health and Human Performance Building. Northwestern has selected Century Development Corporation of Houston to build and manage the residence hall. Century Development operates the University Columns Apartments on campus, which were constructed in 1994. The developer was requested to consider the historical architecture of the campus reflected in buildings such as Russell Hall, Warren Easton Hall and Caldwell Hall.

"I am excited about this project for more than one reason," said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb. "This residence hall will recapture some of the architecture of historical significance at Northwestern which dates back to the time when this was the Normal School. The facility will help create a living learning environment which will help bring out the best in our students."

The complex will include a clubhouse/office, swimming pool and games area, Internet and cable connections, laundry facility and parking lot. Each unit will include a kitchenette and small living area.

The new facility will be a "modified residence hall," with two-bedroom/two-bathroom units for four students and two-bedroom/two-bathroom units
for two students. The residence hall will have some features of an apartment, but will not include a full kitchen.

"This new residence hall is vital to the university," said NSU Student Government Association President Mindy McConnell. "Students have more options about where they can attend college. The new residence hall will give them an additional reason to choose Northwestern. Having nice housing facilities is a strong selling point. If students have a place that allows them to live and study, they will want to remain here and eventually graduate."

Northwestern has had on-campus housing for more than 100 years and was the first institution in the University of Louisiana System to introduce privatized housing in 1994 with the opening of the 512-bed University Columns.

"It is important that Northwestern maintains a position as the front runner in the area of privatized housing within our system," said Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Dan Seymour, who has played a leadership role in planning the new residence hall. "This new residence hall will have an impact on our students. We try to help them develop important skills through involvement and this facility will create an environment where they can develop skills they can use to become responsive, productive individuals."

Officials with Century Development said the new project will extend a productive working relationship between the company and NSU.

"We have enjoyed our 10-year relationship with the university every step of the way," said Century Development Vice President Vincent Spencer. "The University has given a 100 percent effort on this project. This is a special project to both of us. We believe this will be a gorgeous building which will transform the look of this part of the campus."

At the groundbreaking Century Development honored Northwestern as the "Best University Partner" among the institutions the company works with on campus residence hall projects.

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