Extensive housing upgrades and other projects are underway on campus
As the University of Mississippi continues to break enrollment records, the need for on campus housing has grown. UM has partnered with Greystar, a national leader in student housing development, to add about 2,700 new beds for students at the Oxford campus. The housing is expected to be ready by 2027.
“At the heart of our mission lies our unwavering commitment to giving students the best experience possible, which is why this project is vital to addressing one of the most important aspects of the student experience: housing,” said Chancellor Glenn Boyce. “This transformative partnership with Greystar will provide a unique and exceptionally efficient approach to expanding housing options on campus. I’m grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, statewide elected officials, the IHL board of trustees and all involved in this intentional and thoughtful planning that has moved this project forward for the benefit of our students.”
As enrollment has grown, the university has evaluated a number of short-term and long-term solutions to meet student needs and modernize campus infrastructure. Public-private partnerships, also known as P3s, provide an efficient solution by allowing private developers to deliver large-scale infrastructure.
While a common practice nationwide, P3 projects are a newer practice for student housing in Mississippi, said Steven Holley, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance. This agreement allows the university to develop new housing, dining and parking facilities without bearing the full financial burden, all while maintaining affordability priorities for students.
“This partnership allows us to meet growing demand for student housing in a way that’s both financially responsible and student-focused,” he said. “A P3 approach also allows us to preserve university resources to invest in other priorities, such as new academic and research spaces that enrich the campus experience and strengthen our national reputation.”
In partnership with Ole Miss leaders and industry experts, Greystar will lead a team that includes Mississippi-based businesses to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the new student housing communities.
The new student beds will be built on the site that previously housed Kincannon Hall and on West Row across from the UM School of Law. The Kincannon site will hold about 1,200 beds, with parking supported by a new parking garage already under construction. The West Row site will add an additional 1,500 beds and feature a state-of-the-art dining facility and a new parking garage with approximately 1,500 spaces.
The housing communities, which will offer suites and semi-suites, will be constructed in partnership with Modern Living Solutions, Greystar’s modular construction business.
Sections of the buildings, making up the living areas, will be made in Modern Living Solutions’ factory in Knox, PA, shipped to campus and then assembled on site. This method will shorten construction timelines, allow for high level quality control, and reduce waste and disruptive onsite constructions tasks, while keeping costs down for students.
To support economic development and job creation in Mississippi, the university and its partners have emphasized that more than 70% of the on-site construction work will be available to local and regional subcontractors.
“At Greystar, we’re proud to partner with the University of Mississippi to deliver modern, high-quality housing that meets the evolving needs of today’s students,” said Julie Skolnicki, Senior Managing Director of University Partnerships at Greystar. “By leveraging our modular construction capabilities and working closely with local partners, we’re able to deliver efficient, sustainable communities that support student success while contributing to Mississippi’s economy.”
Another major construction project at Ole Miss will house programs designed to catch learning disabilities sooner and expand educational resources in north Mississippi through a new Early Learning and Evaluation Center. The center will be operated by the UM School of Education and will house the university’s nationally accredited preschool, the Willie Price Lab School. It will also allow more children to receive developmental and auditory evaluations, increasing opportunities for early intervention services.
“We are pleased to expand how we serve the community through the UM Early Learning and Evaluation Center and uphold our deep commitment for caring for one another, a cornerstone of our university’s values,” said Chancellor Boyce. “It is exciting how our talented and committed faculty and students from the School of Education will provide important evaluation and education services through the center. We are grateful for the support of the state, and we eagerly anticipate the construction of the forthcoming state-of-the-art facility.”
Demolition ahead of the $30 million-plus project began last spring. Construction started in June, with the center slated to open in 2027.
The Willie Price Lab School will relocate and occupy a portion of the new two-story, 51,447-square-foot facility at the South Oxford Center. The plans call for a nearly 12,000-square-foot evaluation center featuring a sensory playroom, evaluation and observation rooms, and clinical instruction space.
“Identifying students who need support early on greatly increases their chances of success and chances to graduate high school” said David Rock, Dean of the Education School. “This center brings all our resources together into one location, where children can be evaluated and get treated by professionals, all within our facility. This centralized approach improves early intervention and provides a supportive environment for both students and parents.”
Construction of a new, $56-million new parking garage is under way adjacent to the existing parking garage. This new parking garage will add more than 1,300 parking spaces and is expected to open in the fall of 2026.
Another major improvement is a new mechanical plant behind Kinard Hall expected to open in the spring of 2026 which will improve energy efficiency and necessary support for an area of campus that will include a new data science center and student housing.