From the Dean of Students’ Desk

Welcome to our third issue of the Webster University Newsletter for Parents of First-Year Students.

Plans for New Housing
As you may be aware, we have a dramatic need for additional new housing at Webster. This month we began sharing some preliminary drawings of the proposed new residence halls with the campus community and a group of Webster Groves citizens who live near the campus. Our goal is to gain approval from the City Council to build a new residential facility, just to the west of the University Center. The residential facility will be built in two phases. The first phase will house approximately 320 students in a three-story building, featuring double rooms arranged in a suite format. We hope to begin construction on phase one in May 2004, with completion by August 2005. The second phase will house approximately 180 students in double and single room suites. Phase two is projected to be built in 5-8 years and will require the relocation of the Visual Arts Studio building.

The phase one building will also include residential amenities such as lounges, kitchenettes on each floor, a multipurpose room, classroom, a laundry room, and mailboxes. The close proximity to the University Center and Library should make this new housing very appealing to students.

A preliminary design for phase 1 and 2 is shown below. Big Bend is shown on the left. The University Center is shown in the upper right. The Sverdrup building is in the upper left.
When phase 2 is constructed, we also plan to expand the University Center to include a new dining facility for the residents and additional recreational space.

The new residence halls will be financed through bonds and paid back through the room and board rates to be paid by the students living in the new facilities. Therefore, this new construction will not affect tuition prices.

We are also in the early stages of planning for the construction of two new academic buildings, to be located on the east side of campus. These new buildings will feature new classrooms, science labs, and offices for the School of Business and Technology. Once these buildings are completed, the School of Communications will be able to expand within the currently cramped Sverdrup building. Fundraising will be utilized for the construction of these new academic buildings.

Keeping Students Healthy
As you may have seen on the news, this year's influenza season is already hitting parts of the United States in full force. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends anyone over 6 months of age get a flu shot, if they have not received one this year. Health Services has a limited number of flu shots remaining for students. No need to make an appointment. Students may stop by Monday & Wednesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm or Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. The shot is $17.00, cash or check. Students can also charge the shot to their student account.

We will start up the newsletter again in the Spring semester. We’d love to hear from you with comments or suggestions for articles.

Sincerely,

Ted Hoef
Dean of Students

Comments and Suggestions
We hope to publish this Webster University Newsletter for Parents of First-Year Students at least once every eight weeks. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for future newsletters, please send them to hoeftl@webster.edu. We look forward to your comments and suggestions.