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The Future of Housing
Climbing to Greater Heights
First Year Village & New Residence Halls
Opened Fall 2021!
The WKU First Year Village encompasses the residence halls in the south end of campus, including two new residence halls, where focused first-year programming takes place.
The First Year Village includes the construction of two new residence halls, Normal Hall and Regents Hall. These halls will utilize space in a way that enables deep faculty and peer engagement around important ideas that connect directly to student success and learning.
The initiative has been directed and shaped by the University’s Strategic Plan, Climbing to Greater Heights, which states, “in our effort to significantly increase our first to second year retention, we will focus our attention and central resources on a robust and engaging First Year Experience. Each WKU freshman will have the opportunity to reside in Living Learning Communities.”
In the new residence halls, approximately 25 students will share common spaces such as a community space, two community bathrooms, one private bathroom, and a kitchen.
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Faculty-in-Residence (coming soon)
- Community Area Per Pod
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Study Rooms
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Classrooms
- Dining Locations
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Music Practice/Recording Studios
Located inside Regents Hall:
Located Next to Pearce Ford Tower, Douglas Keen and Hugh Poland Halls:
Check out the First Year Village feature in the WKU Spirit Magazine from the Alumni Association.
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Bemis Lawrence Hall closed permanently at the end of the 2019 spring semester.
The majority of the Pearce Ford Tower parking lot closed. The outer perimeter remains open.
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Construction begins on the First Year Village.
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Interior preparation began July 1, 2019. Minor demolition began in August. "The First Bite," which is the first large section taken out of the top of the building, will be taken on September 6, 2019. Full demolition will be completed in approximately 90 days.
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Barnes Campbell Hall will close permanently at the end of the spring fall 2020.
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Demolition begins on Barnes Campbell Hall and will be completed in approximately 90 days.
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Both First Year Village buildings open to students