HASTINGS, Neb. – Hastings College has seen its residence spaces fill-up in the past few years, prompting leadership officials to begin to explore options to improve living spaces on campus.

"We're full in housing, so we know that students have an interest in quality housing on this campus," said Hastings College President Rich Lloyd. "We're going in and looking at upgrades that we can make to any existing housing, and then we're conceptually mapping out what it might look like to build a new residential facility on this campus."

Lloyd says the college informed faculty and students of their plan for improving housing just before the break. College leadership is also looking at improving student services like dining options and the student union. 

Current housing options include four resident halls, and upperclassmen houses and apartments. They combine to house 715 students out of the 1,000-person student body. Students are required to live on campus for six semesters, unless they live within 30 miles of campus.

"We would love to then open a brand new residential facility in the fall of 2026," said Lloyd. "It would probably be a combination of things. It wouldn't be your traditional dorm style, it might be what we have already over at Bronco Village, more suite-style living. We're asking students 'what is it that you would like to see?' so that when you're on campus, we've met your needs."

Lloyd said dining changes will start to take place in the summer and fall of 2024, and existing housing updates will begin in 2024-25, with a new residential complex opening by fall 2026. Details on the new residential facility are still being developed, but will include additional housing style options for students.

College officials are in meetings with construction designers to make official plans for future remodeling and construction to begin as soon as this summer.

The investments are supported by the Hastings College Board of Trustees, the Walter Scott Family Foundation and other supporters of the College.