Living the Future: UH's Residential Campus Vision - University of Houston
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Living the Future: UH's Residential Campus Vision

DSA News
April 30, 2025

The University of Houston is making a bold leap forward in its evolution as a top-tier public university by embracing a more residential campus model — a transformation rooted in the belief that where students live profoundly impacts how they learn, connect, and succeed. In collaboration with an external consulting firm and a diverse array of campus partners, the Division of Student Affairs and Student Housing and Residential Life (SHRL) are leading this effort to redefine the on-campus living experience for Cougars.

The Outdoors is Something Special

The cornerstone of this journey is a commitment to creating an environment that supports not only academic excellence but also personal development, belonging, and long-term student success. As plans unfold for Centennial Hall — a new, first-year, 1,000-bed residence hall — UH is embracing a thriving residential community.

Redefining the Cougar Living Experience

Over the past two years, SHRL has launched a strategic transformation aimed at positioning UH as a "primarily residential" campus — a classification set by the Carnegie Foundation that requires at least 25% of undergraduates to live on campus and 50% to be enrolled full time. This shift supports broader institutional goals, including UH’s ambition to rank among the nation's top 50 public research institutions.

A New Era of Living: Centennial Hall and Beyond

Centennial Hall, slated to open in fall 2027, will offer state-of-the-art amenities and serve as a key milestone in UH's commitment to growing on-campus housing to 10,000 total beds. Upon its completion, Moody Towers will be decommissioned, with future housing development planned for that site.

The Residential Experience Reimagined

Living on campus at UH is more than a housing assignment; it's a platform for student success and personal growth. The residential experience is intentionally designed to foster:

  • Belonging: Students feel connected and valued within their campus community.
  • Support: Accessible resources ensure students are equipped to navigate academic and personal challenges successfully.
  • Preparation: Students are empowered to graduate and launch meaningful careers.

Special emphasis is being placed on first- and second-year students through living-learning communities, dynamic campus wide events, and strong social networks — all contributing to higher satisfaction, retention, and graduation rates.

Physical Space as a Catalyst

To support this evolving vision, UH is making significant upgrades to its residential facilities and infrastructure, including:

  • Developing new residential facility standards to guide construction and operations
  • Renovating University Lofts (spring 2025), Cougar Village I (fall 2025), and Moody Towers bathrooms (fall 2025)
  • Planned improvements to landscaping, adding new fitness spaces, and enhanced access-controlled courtyards to promote safety and wellness

All campus enhancements are guided by robust data analysis and financial modeling to ensure the long-term sustainability, integrity, and value of the residential portfolio.

Building the Campus of the Future

The transformation into a primarily residential campus is more than a facilities plan — it's a student-centered strategy that will redefine what it means to be a Cougar. By investing in where students live, UH is investing in how they learn, how they grow, and how they shape the world.

As these plans take shape, the University invites faculty, staff, and students to imagine what's next — and to be part of building the campus of the future.

Shifting the Narrative

Recognizing that this transformation extends beyond housing, UH is launching a strategic storytelling campaign to ensure the entire community—faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners—understands what it means to be a residential campus. For some, this will mean shifting how they talk about UH; for others, it may involve rethinking how they support students in their roles.

This article offers an early glimpse into that storytelling arc, and we invite you to stay tuned as we continue to spotlight how each member of our community plays a vital role in UH's evolution.

Written by Germaine Washington, Director of Marketing and Communications — Student Affairs, in collaboration with Don Yackley, Assistant Vice President — Student Housing and Residential Life. Consulted, Shawn Lindsey, Sr. Assoc. Vice President/ Vice Chancellor for University Strategic Communications — University Marketing and Communications