Additions to St. Martin's campus promises more room for students

The opening of a residence building this fall means many Saint Martin's University students no longer will need to sleep three to a room or live at nearby hotels.

Instead, some freshmen, sophomores and juniors will have a new communal kitchen and a family-style table, an exercise room and a late-night espresso stand at Parsons Hall, a new 262-bed residence building at Saint Martin's.

For the past two academic years, Saint Martin's has rented space at the Quality Inn & Suites and the Dakota Apartments. The university also outfitted with three beds some rooms that had been designed for two beds.

But this fall, there will be enough space for all students who want to live on campus, the first time that has happened in several years, said Melanie Richardson, dean of student services.

Other additions

The university also plans to open in mid-fall Harned Hall, a building with eight classrooms, a computer lab, engineering labs, a student lounge and a cafe.

New track facilities near the recently renamed Marcus Pavilion also are slated to be ready this school year, which means that in the spring, the track team will be able to compete on campus for the first time.

At the residence hall, "the design was very student-driven," Richardson said. Even the freshman community bathrooms were designed by student request, she said.

"The idea behind a community bathroom is that you meet other people," said Andy Aslaksen, the director of housing and residence life at Saint Martin's.

The residence hall is meant to house freshmen and sophomores, but some juniors who have requested rooms in the building will be allowed to live there this year, she said.

Future growth

Richardson said the four residence halls will have enough space to allow for expected growth.

The track will be part of a future recreation complex that will have room for sports and athletics.

Harned Hall, which cost an estimated $6 million, and Parsons, an estimated $14 million, were financed by bonds taken by the university.

The new athletic facilities -- including the track and soccer field and a planned indoors athletic and recreation center -- will be paid for through a $5.5 million donation campaign.

Increasing enrollment

Enrollment has grown by at least 3 percent a year since 2002, when 964 students were at the main and extension campuses. Last year, the university had about 1,300 undergraduates, including those at the university's extension locations, according to the university's common data set, a document that many universities produce annually. The school's board of trustees decided to allow for higher enrollment to make the university more financially secure, board members have said.

The university has 200 freshmen signed up for the fall term, which starts Aug. 25, and is continuing to accept applications, said Eric Pedersen, dean of enrollment.

University officials expect fewer freshmen this fall than last fall, but the university will see a higher percentage of upper-level students returning and more transfer students, he added.

On the main campus, projected fall enrollment is 1,015 students, about nine more than last year, he said.

Venice Buhain covers education for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5445 or vbuhain@theolympian.com.