Two weeks ago, on Nov.15, the Board of Governors approved the construction of a new residence hall for Southern’s campus.

This plan for the new West Campus will not only transform the look of the residence side of campus but will also provide housing for 200 students.

The new buildings will be in the area where the sand volleyball courts are now. The buildings will back up to the Criminal Justice building’s parking lot and will connect to a back parking lot for the new buildings.

The new West Campus will be home to two new buildings, a new FEMA safe room and the new West Plaza Student Housing. The FEMA safe building will be located next to the existing Gockel Hall. The West Plaza Student Housing will consist of 51 apartments arranged in six different buildings all connected by a common courtyard. All but two of the apartments will have four bedrooms sharing a common living space and kitchen. The kitchen area will have such features as an island counter along with a laundry room. Each of the of bedrooms will have its own bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet.

“We anticipate breaking ground on this project by mid to late spring and will be complete for the fall semester in 2015,” said Robert Harrington, director of the physical plant.

The common courtyard area between the buildings will feature fountains and activity space; this are will be called the West Plaza.