MSU plans new Bozeman dorm as campus housing stays near full

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana State University is moving ahead with plans to build more campus housing in the next few years as current housing sits close to capacity. 

MSU said the proposed new residence hall would bring 250 to 300 beds to campus, mostly for upperclassmen and single graduate students. 

Michael Becker, MSU's interim vice president for communications, said residence halls have stayed tight for years, hence the decision from the board of regents to design and plan the new residence hall. 

“Our residence halls have for about ten years been running at a capacity between 95 and 98% full," Becker said. "What building a new residence hall does not only is provide sophomores and above with exceptional housing opportunities on campus, but it gives us some flexibility in our campus housing space,” said Becker. 

The university would have some flexibility if there were issues with any current housing, or if they needed to close some for renovations. 

The project would replace the West Side housing neighborhood, which is made up of graduate students and single-family students. The university has been phasing those homes out for years. The homes are 60-68 years old and past their usability, Becker said. 

“For the past several years we have been letting them go vacant as people do move out. And so, it's time for those buildings to go away,” he said. 

Enrollment also played a role in the decision. MSU reported record enrollment in the past fall and spring semesters. 

“Those those capacity numbers are a concern. We want to make sure we have room-in-case or room to improve as time goes on. That's why the new residence hall is something we've determined is necessary,” said Becker. 

Students currently living at West Side housing who wanted similar housing have been offered other options including Branegan, McIntosh and Paisley Court Apartments. 

MSU said it would begin work this summer to remove old houses from the West Side site. The university also said more planning and approvals were still needed, so it would be a few years before the new building opens.