Chancellor Syverud Announces First Phase of University’s New Strategic Housing Plan

Chancellor Kent Syverud today announced details of the first phase of the University’s new strategic housing plan. This strategy follows approval from the Board of Trustees. Today’s announcement of the strategic housing plan follows the completion of a comprehensive, three-year housing review, which, among other things, found that undergraduate students wanted more options for living in University housing on North Campus that provides seamless access to various campus facilities and amenities.

As part of the new strategy, which aligns with the goals and aspirations identified in the overarching Campus Framework, the University will:

• Build a new residence hall at 700 Ostrom Ave., adjacent to Thornden Park. This new facility will house at least 450 students. The architect has been selected, and the student experience team will host several opportunities this spring for student input. The University’s goal is to begin construction this year.
• Demolish Marion Hall and Kimmel Hall and Dining Center on the corner of Comstock and Waverly avenues to make way for a modern, new residence hall. The University is currently working through a timeline for the design and construction of this new facility.

The strategy was informed by an experience Chancellor Syverud had when he first arrived at Syracuse. The Chancellor lived among first-year students in Brewster, Boland, and Brockway Halls with the goal of understanding how students were experiencing campus and what the University could do to make it better.

“Over the years, we’ve made renovations to residence hall bathrooms, and expanded and improved community spaces,” said Chancellor Syverud. “But many of the residence halls on campus have remained largely the same for too long. Today’s students have dramatically different wants and needs for student housing. This ambitious plan will provide our students with the living environments they expect that will allow them to succeed and thrive.”

The group charged with development of the new strategy was co-led by Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Brett Padgett and a group of University Trustees. Together with other campus leaders, including John Papazoglou, senior vice president and chief operations officer, and Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, among others, the group analyzed what students expect in housing stock, the existing facilities of peer institutions, and what Syracuse University needs to meet expectations of our future students.

“I appreciated the opportunity to see what action our peers are taking to create comfortable, inclusive and supportive living environments that also build community,” says Groves. “That experience combined with the extensive feedback we had previously received from our campus community has helped to inform a housing strategy that is unique to Syracuse and will benefit students for generations to come. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues and students on campus to bring this vision to life.”

“These two new facilities will be the first new residence halls since Ernie Davis Hall opened 15 years ago,” says Padgett. “Modern, comfortable housing is important for achieving our enrollment and retention goals, and it is key to the success of our students—both inside and outside the classroom. This multi-year strategy is innovative, and achievable, and will benefit Syracuse University long into the future.”

The housing strategy builds on the recent announcement that new housing will be made available at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center and at 727 South Crouse, the apartment complex formerly known as the Marshall. As the University previously announced, the Sheraton will be converted into a residence hall for sophomores. That work will begin immediately following Commencement in May. The renovated Sheraton will open as a residence hall for sophomores in fall 2024. And, 727 South Crouse will be fully brought into the University’s housing portfolio in fall 2024 and available to sophomores.

“Together, the new facilities and the enhancements to our housing portfolio will allow Syracuse University to continue redefining the Orange experience and ensure an outstanding living and learning environment for our students,” says Chancellor Syverud.