In response to continued enrollment growth, coupled with two residence halls going off line for student dwelling in the upcoming academic year, on-campus student housing at the University is in demand.

"The University is attracting top student scholars from throughout Nevada and the West," Vice President of Student Services Shannon Ellis said. "Freshmen know the added value of living on campus which we are working very hard to accommodate." 

Housing demand is estimated at 120 percent of capacity for the upcoming 2015-2016 academic year. Along with the current construction of Peavine Hall on Sierra Street, additional plans are in the works to accommodate the growing residential needs at the University, as well as aiding student performance and retention. 

"The lesson for future applicants to the University is to apply early for admission, financial aid and housing," Ellis said. "It is highly competitive and the earlier students commit to the University the better." 

Students participating in NevadaFIT (Freshman Intensive Training), a week-long boot-camp-style workshop designed to increase success for incoming college students, move in to residence halls Aug. 16. Many student athletes and members of the cheer squad and marching band also move in early. Other students living on-campus begin moving into the residence halls Aug. 20. 

The following update provides insight into what's next for on-campus residence options: 

Peavine Hall: Open this fall, with a public preview planned for Aug. 13, Peavine Hall will accommodate 600 mostly freshman students this year in suite-style rooms of three students each. As additional residence hall capacity is developed in the coming years, plans call for Peavine Hall to serve approximately 400 students. Located at the corner of Sierra and 11th Streets, north of Sierra Hall, Peavine tops 117,000 square feet and exceeds the number of beds lost from the closing of Lincoln and White Pine Halls to residence hall use as of the end of the spring 2015 semester. Peavine Hall's emphasis is on healthy living, and it will feature wellness-themed educational opportunities to enable students to focus on health and wellness activities. 

White Pine Hall: At the end of the 2015 spring semester, White Pine Hall, with capacity for 160-students, closed to make way for a new, larger facility expected to open for the 2017 fall semester. The new hall is anticipated to house 400 students, primarily freshmen, all STEM majors. The new hall will feature informal mentoring and will be a focus in the University's efforts to recruit and retain students in the STEM fields. The removal of White Pine Hall is anticipated to take place in the late fall or early winter months. 

Argenta Hall: Opened in 2000, Argenta Hall houses up to 750 students. Originally intended to house two students per room, this year Argenta will continue to accommodate three students per room, with a bathroom and shower in each room. 

Manzanita Hall: Listed along with Lincoln Hall in the National Register of Historic Places, Manzanita Hall will remain open to residence hall use for the 2015-2016 academic year to help accommodate the demand for on-campus living. Manzanita Hall houses 104 students. Future plans call for Manzanita Hall to be repurposed into faculty and administrative offices. 

Lincoln Hall: Built in 1895-1896, Lincoln Hall was closed to residence hall use at the end of the 2015 spring semester and will be repurposed into faculty and administrative offices. Collaboration with state historic preservation experts contributed to the planning which will place particular emphasis on preserving the exterior of this landmark building.