PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (June 25, 2020) – Like many universities, Prairie View A&M is no exception when it comes to housing: as the university becomes more and more popular with students, the demand for on-campus housing grows. Answering that need, PVAMU broke ground on a new residential community, and the first students – juniors and seniors – are slated to move in this fall.
Called The Program Houses (House) at University View, the new space offers apartment-style accommodations with two- and four-bedroom configurations. Additionally, four large townhomes will house 14 student leaders and a faculty advisor. This new spot on “The Hill” will accommodate 540 students in total.
“Residents who live here will join one of the four Program Houses—STEM & Ag, PV Goes Global, Social Justice, and The Honors College,” said Marquis Gatewood, Ed.D., executive director of Housing and Residence Life. “Each House will focus on getting upperclassmen prepared to transition from college students to future scholars, researchers, professionals, and practitioners. They will participate in opportunities that allow them to work together to come up with solutions to global challenges, as well as strengthen relationships with faculty, staff, and peers.”
PVAMU already has two residential college communities – First Year Experience (FYE) for freshmen, including University College and University Square, and Second Year Experience (SYE) for sophomores, which includes University Village I and II. The House at University View for upper-level students rounds out these communities, which serve nearly 4,000 students.
“The idea of these communities is to provide a space where residents of all backgrounds come together to understand how their fields can dovetail with each other, promoting both problem-solving and creativity,” said Gatewood.
Gatewood says the House community is not only a first for PVAMU but also for HBCUs.
“I’m overjoyed by the opportunities for our students, alumni, faculty, and staff,” said Gatewood. “A residential college is a community effort, and I look forward to this new addition to Prairie View’s rich campus life.”
As an added bonus, the House includes a clubhouse with gym, study rooms, and computer labs, as well as meeting spaces and two large outdoor spaces that can be used for social and academic programs.
Students can join this new community by applying for on-campus housing.
###
By Holly Beretto