Walls do not yet enclose the University’s third residence hall, but record-breaking enrollment growth has spurred the UT Dallas administration to begin work on a fourth residential facility.

The fourth residence hall will be built near Waterview Drive, just south of the third residence hall.

The UT System Board of Regents gave preliminary approval to UT Dallas for the residence/dining hall at its Nov. 10 meeting to help address a growing student population, which is up approximately 27 percent in the last four years. Expanded amenities, including a recreation center and a parking garage, will be just steps from students’ residences.

“We’re building additional dining and recreation facilities into the fourth residence hall project to support the phenomenal growth the University is experiencing,” said Dr. Calvin D. Jamison, senior vice president for business affairs.

Work on the 285,000-square-foot, 600-bed facility is expected to begin in November 2012. The dining hall, with seating for 800 will be open to students, faculty, staff and guests. Classrooms, gathering spaces and support offices also are planned.

The UT System Office of Facilities Planning and Construction, the system’s manager for large construction projects, estimates that the fourth hall will be completed between Fall 2013 and Fall 2014.

Dr. Darrelene Rachavong, vice president for student affairs, expects the fourth residence hall to continue the integrated academic support found in its sister facilities.

“The design of all the residence halls lends itself to building community and makes it easy to form study groups and to have classes and workshops on site,” she said. “Our third residence hall will house a satellite GEMS Center and will house all the Living Learning Communities.

“The fourth hall, while not designed yet, will definitely have classrooms and study rooms, and will probably have an even larger GEMS Center for academic support.”

The fourth hall is to be approximately 135,000 square feet larger than its predecessors. Like the other three residence halls, it will primarily serve freshmen. The fourth residence hall will be built near Waterview Drive, just south of the third residence hall.

Work on the third residence hall was still under way earlier this month when the Board of Regents approved construction of the fourth facility.

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Matt Grief, who oversees housing operations, believes the addition of a fourth residence hall and its 600 future inhabitants will add to the community feel which has taken root at the current facilities.

“I expect the tradition we have had in all of our freshman housing areas to extend to the fourth residence hall — a continued, strong-knit community full of excitement, activity and relationships,” Grief said. “Our students in these areas have always had a great sense of spirit and competition, and having a fourth hall will only add to the community that has been created over time.”

The estimated cost of the project is $75 million, including $12 million for a nearby freestanding parking garage. UT Dallas will present design plans and funding authorization at a future Board of Regents’ meeting.