New Residence Hall For TPU Campus

WATERBURY — Supporting growing student enrollment, the Teikyo Post University board of trustees has given the go-ahead to build a new residence hall to be completed by 2002.

University President Jon Jay DeTemple met with the board last month, at which time they gave their stamp of approval to enter the planning stages for a new residence hall to house approximately 150 students.

“We are currently at maximum capacity in our existing residence halls,” said Dr DeTemple. “The new building will eliminate the need for off-campus housing and allow all students seeking housing to become on-campus residents. This is particularly important at Teikyo Post because of the student body’s international composition, and the resulting opportunity to interact and therefore get a complete educational experience.”

Three hundred twenty-five students presently live on campus in Teikyo Post’s five residence halls or Chase Arms, a university-owned off-campus apartment building. The new suite-style residence hall, which will be designed for upperclassmen, will be erected off Country Club Road near the university’s South Gate entrance.

Since 1996, TPU has spent approximately $3.7 million on infrastructure, and is now launching its first major building program. The university has allocated $6 million to cover construction costs for the new facility.

Teikyo Post has seen a substantial increase in both day and evening enrollment over the past three years. It is one of a handful of schools in Connecticut offering baccalaureate programs online, with an adult student population of 850 in its Accelerated Degree Program, while its resident student population has increased from 220 in 1997 to 340 in 2000.

Aline Rossiter, dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, attributes the record results to a number of changes the university has experienced over the last few years, including the availability of scholarships, NCAA Division II athletics, online program development and new technology throughout campus, a new initiative offering graduate business degrees, and expanded academic majors in business and the sciences. Ms Rossiter cited the international focus of the University as an important factor in many students choosing Teikyo Post and their desire to live on campus.