After years struggling with shortages of on-campus housing, West Chester University will add 900 new beds through a series of projects in its master plan, writes Ryan Mulligan for the Philadelphia Business Journal.
The school’s council of trustees approved additional housing in the spring for the 409-acre campus through building additions, renovations, and a new residence hall.
Plans advanced last week when the council approved a $92 million bond issuance, a prelude to the kickoff of the first phase.
That phase will consist of adding an extra floor to all existing residence buildings in West Chester’s South Campus, resulting in 220 new beds. The plan is to expand two of the 11 buildings each year in roughly 40-bed increments, according to President Lorraine Bernotsky.
This should start this fall and will last five years. Meanwhile, West Chester will begin using modular housing at Matlack Court on the North Campus in the fall to house students during renovations.
To craft its master plan, the university worked with 22 campus and community stakeholder groups to gather feedback on what would best serve both West Chester and the surrounding community.
Read more about West Chester University added new housing to better provide for the number of students in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on VISTA.Today in August 2025.
