Prairie View A&M Breaks Ground on Student Housing Project

Prairie View, Texas — The Texas A&M System and Prairie View A&M University on Monday broke ground on student housing that will address a growing need for housing because of recent enrollment increases.

Phase IX of campus housing, which will open by Fall 2020, will add 164 units with 520 beds, bringing Prairie View close to its goal of providing 5,000 beds on campus.

“As you’ve heard, Prairie View A&M has been experiencing phenomenal growth in its enrollment in recent years. While it’s a good problem to have, it does come with its challenges. Namely, that our growing student population has access to a safe and securing living environment while matriculating through the university. We’re excited that this new project will enable us to meet the demand for on-campus housing,” said Ruth J. Simmons, president of Prairie View A&M University.

Chancellor John Sharp noted that enrollment has been increasing with the arrival of Dr. Ruth Simmons, a nationally known academic leader and former president and administrator at several Ivy League schools. The 2018 fall enrollment was 9,516 – up from 8,762 in 2016.

“What a great problem to have,” said Chancellor Sharp of Dr. Simmons’ appeal to young people.

He also noted the Board of Regents’ commitment to Prairie View University:

• Since 2010 the Board has increased funding from the Available University Fund by almost 80 percent to foster excellence in the classroom.
• The Regents also approved $247 million from the Permanent University Fund for construction projects and several Chancellor Research Initiative awards to recruit top faculty.

“I have always said this is the prettiest campus in Texas,” Chancellor Sharp said. “And now there is a real momentum building here.”

About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $4.7 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities and seven state agencies, the Texas A&M System educates more than 153,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $996 million in FY 2017 and helped drive the state’s economy.

Contact: Laylan Copelin
Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications
(979) 458-6425
(512) 289-2782 cell
lcopelin@tamus.edu