Students who want the convenience and security of a residence hall with the flexibility of off-campus housing will have a new option starting in the fall of 2017.
UWM is converting the RiverView Residence Hall into independent housing for upper-level students.
“Students were telling us that they wanted more options,” said Kelly Haag, director of University Housing. “Moving off campus after your first year is often seen as a rite of passage, but we kept hearing that our students wanted that ‘in-between’ experience. We think this finds the right balance and will be a big draw.”
RiverView will combine the best features of residence halls and apartment-style living with co-ed suites, kitchens in which students can cook their own meals, access to Milwaukee’s East Side, and the convenience of services found in other UWM residence halls.
Samantha Werner, who lived in RiverView when she was a student and now works in University Housing, said she loved the location, with a grocery store across the street, many restaurants nearby, and proximity to local landmarks like Landmark Bowling and Ma Baensch’s seafood company.
“Living at RiverView helped me develop my identity as Milwaukee resident, not just a UWM student,” Werner said.
The changes to RiverView respond to student surveys that show a desire for more independence and choice, according to Haig. For example, without a required meal plan, students with a wide range of dietary preferences can eat what they like. Two kitchen areas will be installed on each floor, and residents can keep individual mini-refrigerators in their rooms.
At the same time, students who want a university meal plan have several options available with a dining room located across the river at Cambridge Commons.
Students also will have choice in their room arrangements in RiverView. Typical suites will consist of one double and one single room with the three students sharing a bathroom. However, students who sign up as a group can opt for double occupancy in both rooms. Students who sign up as a group also can request a co-ed suite, with residents of both sexes sharing a bathroom.
UWM provides shuttle service to and from RiverView, and students can use their U-Pass on Milwaukee County buses. RiverView also has 40 parking spots for rent.
The new RiverView will be open to transfer students and continuing UWM students. To participate in self-assignment, students should complete their University Housing Contract for 2017-18 and check their self-assignment appointment time at www.uwm.edu/myhousing.
For more information, check out www.uwm.edu/choosetheview.
