4/22/2005

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

 Project Among Largest in Nation –

SRU RESIDENCE HALL REPLACEMENT PROGRAM GROUNDBREAKING ON WEDNESDAY     

      SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. –  The Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc., will break ground for SRU’s $110-million Residence Hall Replacement Project at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at an outdoor site near Founders Hall. The project is among the largest college/university residence hall construction program in the U.S.

     Faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community are invited.

      Participating in the groundbreaking will be members of the Association of Residence Hall Students, Student Government Association as well as representatives from the foundation, local government and the University administration.

      Phase one of the 2,197-bed housing complex will be completed by fall 2006, with phase two set for completion by fall 2008. The replacement project will offer students individual bedrooms with a small-group common area for on-campus living.

     The project is being undertaken as student demand for individual bedroom/apartment-style living quarters increases. As part of the program  the SRU Council of Trustees earlier endorsed a fast-track schedule for the program. The project will replace six campus halls built between 1958 and 1973 under a program that leases the land to the foundation.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Media planning to staff the ceremony are asked to call 724-738-2199.