Temporary student housing approved for UNCP

Authorization to contract with a local motel to house students temporarily during the fall semester was approved Tuesday by the Board of Trustees of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

The move was necessitated by the an expected record enrollment, including 800-900 freshmen. That compares to 722 freshmen in fall 2002.

Chancellor Allen C. Meadors said it may cost $60,000 to house about 150 students for one month. A private company began construction on three apartment units with 213 beds on campus about two weeks ago.

"If you have not seen it, you would be amazed at what they've done in two weeks," Chancellor Meadors said. "If we need temporary space, I feel it will only be for 2-3 weeks."

An agreement with a private builder took longer than expected to hammer out, board Chair Gervais Oxendine told other board members via teleconference.

The owner of the apartments, dubbed University Village Apartments, will pay for temporary housing after one month. The apartments are located on the north end of campus at the site of the former intramural fields.

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