Demand high for UNCP's new apartment complex

A new student housing development on the campus of UNC Pembroke is coming online at precisely the right time for a growing university.

With the school year nearing, builders are working round the clock to get the 216-bed residence ready.

The privately funded project, which consists of three buildings with 12 apartments in each, got started in early June. The apartments, along with a separate community building, are located on the north side of campus along Odum Road.

University housing administrators are very enthusiastic about the project.

"This project is a nice fit for us, and it will significantly enhance the quality of life for on-campus students," said Dean of Students Preston Swiney, who supervises student housing. "University Village will improve the mix and quality of our student housing."

Along with rapidly growing enrollment, the demand for student housing is booming, Dean Swiney said.

"On-campus housing occupancy is up 65 percent in just three years," he said. "We expect full occupancy of University Village this year."

With students already being assigned three to a room in some of the university's residence halls, demand is strong. Swiney said 160 students have already reserved rooms in the apartment-style residence.

Each furnished unit has three double-occupancy bedrooms (with a bathroom for each bedroom), a full kitchen, living room and study room. The apartments are wired with seven Internet, four cable TV and four phone outlets.

The cost of a nine-month lease is $1,725 per semester compared with $1,305 in Pine Hall, formerly the university's newest residence hall. There is on-premise parking, and no meal plan is required for residents of University Village.

Although the apartments are privately financed, the university is managing them. Campus police will provide security, and there will be a live-in resident administrator and resident assistants in each building.

Outdoors, there will be a volleyball court and barbecues. In the community building, there will be a computer lab, laundry room, post office boxes, study area and office.

The three-story buildings are good looking with brick and siding exteriors and concrete sidewalks and parking areas.

"This is going to be an attractive feature of our campus, and it will benefit student life for many, many years to come," Dean Swiney said.

For more information, call 910.521.6228.

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