With a current enrolment of over 4,000 graduate students for the coming term, McMaster University is finding ways to make housing easier for its students. In a report from cbc.ca, the university posted an ad for a private partner that can build an off-campus housing complex that can accommodate up to 500 students at a time.
Currently, the university has 12 undergrad residence complexes with a bed population of 3,600. This project would be the first off-campus for graduates only housing facility for the university.
According to McMaster University's Director of Public and Community Relations Gord Arbeau, "Some have partners living with them, in some cases they have children. They're looking for larger accommodations, for in-unit kitchens, food prep areas." He added, "(Grad students) are less inclined to want to be on-campus."
The top needs of the housing, after the university polled 700 grad students, include high speed wireless internet, in-house laundry facilities, cooking facilities in each unit and proximity from campus.
Previously, McMaster University approved the construction of a multi-purpose 'Living Learning Center' to be located right across the Ron Joyce Stadium. According to a report from thespec.com, the facility, built at a cost of Can$118 million would include housing for 500 students and have other facilities such as classrooms, informal study spaces as well as other student services.
According to McMaster University Associate Vice President for Students and Learning and Dean of Students Sean Van Koughnett, "There's a movement towards more multipurpose buildings. There's greater ability to form a better community feel around these multipurpose buildings rather than having silos around the campus."
McMaster University President Patrick Deane added that the building would help foster a greater sense of community among students. The classrooms, according to the President, would offer a more flexible layout as there is a departure from the standard lecture hall set up and instead allow students to break into smaller groups to encourage discussion and collaboration.
