Texas A&M-San Antonio pursues first residence hall

SAN ANTONIO – Texas A&M University-San Antonio is getting ready to welcome their first freshman class this fall. But as of right now, those new students won't have anywhere on campus to live.

That's about to change, thanks to the Texas A&M University System's Board of Regents granting President Cynthia Teniente-Matson authority to negotiate and execute a ground lease for the construction of privatized student housing on campus, according to a news release.

The new student residence hall is set to open fall 2017 and provide beds for 350 students. Once built, new residence hall rooms will be offered to incoming freshmen and any remaining vacancies will then be filled based on student need.

The announcement comes as the university is preparing to transition from a two-year upper division institution to a comprehensive four-year university.

"I think it's a good idea because it'll house out-of-state students," student Anna Loredo said. She, like all other Texas A&M-San Antonio students, currently live off campus and commute.

Nearly 4,600 students are enrolled at the university and it's considered the fastest-growing in the state.

"Our students keep asking about the residence halls," Vice President of Student Affairs Melissa Mahan said. "It's a great time to create that learning-living opportunity for these students."

One student from Crystal City believes more students and on-campus living will really change the university's atmosphere.

"(I'm) pretty excited because I work on campus and it's sometimes dead, but I'm pretty sure when the freshmen get here it'll be a lot more lively," Sarah Moncada said.

The new residence hall will be the fourth building on the main campus. It's going to be built on a currently wooded area near the Patriots' Casa.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio currently partners with two apartment complexes for student housing, according to Mahan. Information can be found here.