By Christina Moran '07
The project to construct two new dormitories will cost approximately $20 million, UP President the Rev. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., announced Monday at the annual State of the University address. The University hopes to begin construction in the few months, but specific plans have yet to materialize.
Beauchamp said the new residence halls, along with other planned capital improvements that include renovation and expansion of The Commons, will significantly enhance the quality and reputation of the university.
"Of course we will not take our eyes off the most important project - the replacement of Howard Hall," he added.
Beauchamp also discussed the university's Catholic heritage. UP is already the top Catholic teaching university in the West, Beauchamp said, and the school's reputation should continue to grow.
"I believe that it's time for the University of Portland to be the Catholic university of the West," he said.
According to Beauchamp, this distinction has two requirements: matching or exceeding other schools in terms of conventional measures, and being "distinctively Catholic." At the same time, the University will continue to value diversity and welcome students and faculty from all backgrounds, he said.
Beauchamp also said one of UP's next challenges is to provide more need-based scholarship money and less that is based on merit.
"We want to have more and more of our scholarship dollars going to our needy students," he said.
