Penn State’s Board of Trustees approved the sixth and final phase of the East Halls renovation project Friday afternoon. Hastings, Stone, and Snyder halls will undergo a $95.3 million renovation as part of phase 2c. Work is will begin May 2023 with an expected finish before the fall 2024 semester.

The three residence halls will receive new and efficient building systems, connection to the campus chilled water system to allow for climate-controlled rooms, shared semi-private bathrooms, laundry rooms, and more. There will also be improvements to each of the building’s exteriors, ADA accessibility, outdoor rec zones, and landscaping.

“After several years of hard work, we are thrilled to be nearing the finish line of the multiphase East Halls renovation project,” associate vice president for Auxiliary and Business Services John Papazoglou said in a release. “This gives our students updated living spaces they can study and thrive in while developing lifelong friendships with one another. We also are thankful for the support of the board and the ability to pursue and complete this project with our self-supported funds, without the aid of tuition dollars or state appropriations.” 

Across the three residence halls, the overall bed count will remain close to the existing 775, as there will be an increase in regular beds and a decrease in supplemental beds.

The total $95.3 is funded by self-supported borrowing and Housing and Food Service reserves, not by tuition or state funds.

In an effort to overhaul the aging residence complex that was built in the 1960s, the overall East Halls renovation project began in 2016 with the construction of Earle Hall in Phase 1a. Phase 1b followed with the construction of Martin Hall and renovations to Pennypacker, McKean, and Stuart halls in 2017.

Phase 2b, which includes renovations to Bigler, Curtin, and Packer halls, is still in progress and is on pace to be finished before the fall 2023 semester. Once the entire project is complete, East Halls will provide 4,612 students with housing.