UW Trustees Vote to Hire Student Housing Consultant, RAC Expansion

Contracts with firms to study student housing at the University of Wyoming and plan for expansion of the Rochelle Athletic Center were authorized by the UW Board of Trustees today (Friday).

The board voted to authorize a contract with Mahlum Architects of Portland, Ore., to develop a master plan for on-campus housing to meet the needs and expectations of students for the future.

UW’s Department of Residence Life and Dining Services manages seven residence halls, housing about 2,100 students, and accompanying dining facilities. The last new residence hall, White Hall, was built in 1967, and the last comprehensive housing and facilities plan was prepared in 2001.

Preliminary information will be available by July 1, 2015, with a final report due by Sept. 1, 2015 -- in time to allow UW to prepare a budget request to the governor and Legislature for a full Level 2 study for capital project

According to a news release, the trustees voted to authorize a contract with the firm of Sink Combs Dethlefs of Denver to plan for an expansion of the Rochelle Athletic Center (RAC), built in 2001. UW’s Department of Athletics aims to expand the center, named for Curtis and Marian Rochelle, to add a training table/nutrition center in light of NCAA rules changes allowing student-athletes to receive unlimited meals and snacks.