College Considers New Residence Hall

As enrollment continues to increase at Bluefield College so does the demand for on-campus housing. As a result, Bluefield College administrators are considering the possibility of building a new on-campus residence hall.

Plans are in the preliminary stage at this point with details such as cost, size, capacity and amenities still to be determined.

“We are basically at square one right now with the project,” said BC’s Ruth Blankenship, vice president for advancement, administration and finance. In fact, Blankenship said not many details are able to be shared at the moment since plans are still being finalized with architects and are apt to change.

“The continued growth in the residential students is at an all-time high,” said Blankenship. “This is the third largest year of record residential enrollment. We are currently at 95 percent capacity with approximately 10 free beds.”

The administration has been reviewing designs and site recommendations for the new residence hall. Once designs are approved, they will then be presented to the Board of Trustees for final approval.

“The need for this new residence hall is an extremely positive sign for Bluefield College,” said Blankenship. “We are growing like never before in the history of the college. They opened the doors with just Cruise Hall, and in less than 10 years the college has built East River Hall and Bluestone Commons. With the addition of new programs like marching band, nursing and other degrees and sports, this housing will be necessary.”

Josh Arnold, associate vice president for student development, said his hope is that the new residence hall will offer additional living-learning amenities not currently offered on campus. He said he also hopes the new facility will be available for students by the fall of 2020.

“We are working to make it something very special – different from our current offerings and much more student-centered with an emphasis on communal spaces,” said Arnold.