Project
Student Housing
About the PROJECT
Expanding residential housing on the Baton Rouge campus is an urgent priority of the campaign. With Fall 2025 housing at full capacity and a growing waiting list, Southern University requires new facilities to meet student demand, support enrollment growth, and replace aging residence halls demolished in 2013. The new Student Housing project — developed by the Southern Foundation — will deliver two modern residential buildings totaling 854 beds, providing the kind of living-learning environment that today’s students expect.
Degree Programs
- UNDERGRADUATE - Nursing, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Rehabilitation Services, and Therapeutic Recreation
- GRADUATE - Nursing, Speech-Language Pathology, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing
- Doctorate of Nursing Practice
- ONLINE - RN-BSN
Living on campus fosters a sense of belonging, improves retention, provides better access to academic resources, and increases student engagement in campus life. The new Student Housing complex will have a transformative impact on the University’s ability to recruit and retain students. With residential housing already full and a two-year live-on policy under consideration, additional capacity is essential. The project will add 854 beds across two buildings — 502 for first and second-year students and 352 for upper-division students — directly supporting enrollment growth and strengthening the on-campus experience through degree completion. Modern suite-style living, on-site dining, and dedicated common spaces will position Southern University competitively with peer institutions in attracting the best and brightest students beginning Fall 2025.
The Student Housing project consists of two separate 4-story residential buildings oriented around an enclosed quad with pedestrian walkways, seating areas, and open recreation space. The project will include:
- A 121,775 sf First and Second-Year Building with 502 beds in suite-style rooms (two bedrooms sharing one bathroom), a large student lounge with food service seating for 116, a student meeting room with adjacent kitchen, laundry facilities, and a copy/mail room.
- A 137,373 sf Upper-Division Building with 352 beds featuring private bedrooms, shared bathrooms at a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio, and individual suite kitchenettes and lounge areas.
- An enclosed courtyard quad with pedestrian walkways, planting beds, patios, and open recreation space connecting the two buildings.
| Number of Stories | 4 |
| First & Second-Year Building | 121,775 sf |
| First & Second-Year Beds | 502 |
| Upper-Division Building | 137,373 sf |
| Upper-Division Beds | 352 |
| Total Building Area | 259,148 sf |
| Total Beds | 854 |
| Surface Parking | 120 spaces |
Cost Estimate
| IMPROVEMENT | COST | SECURED | NEEDED | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Cost | $77,972,494 | $77,972,494 | ||
| Soft Costs | $30,000,000 | $30,000,000 | ||
| TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS | $107,972,494 | $107,972,494 | ||
| Endowment Programming | $1,800,000 | $1,800,000 | ||
| TOTAL PROJECT COST | $109,772,494 | $109,772,494 |
“In attracting the best and brightest students to attend Southern University, the quality of campus
life and student services is critical to the decisions that students and parents make. Southern University’s master plan for Baton Rouge addresses every aspect of student life, from apartment-style accommodations, dining facilities, library services, and a renovated Student Union building. These improvements will support academic achievement, attract students to attend Southern, and provide sources of income to the University.”
JOHN K. PIERRE
“Because of donor generosity, I am more than just a student; I am a leader in the making. Southern University has shaped my purpose. If I am conducting community research, serving in the gospel choir, or advocating for agricultural policy, I am constantly reminded that donor contributions fuels my growth as a scholar. Your support doesn’t just help us pay for tuition; it opens doors to research labs and leadership spaces that would otherwise be out of reach. You are the reason students like me can stay enrolled to represent the Jaguar Nation with pride, and return that service to our community. Thank you for investing in me and in the legacy of Southern University.”
COURBIN CROSBY
- Major: Agribusiness
- Minor: Political Science
- Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
- SU Top JAG, Global AG Scholar
