First-years and sophomores may all live on the 40 in years to come. (Anna Calvo | Staff Photographer)

Through a newly approved rezoning effort, the University will build new dormitories on the South 40 to increase housing capacity from 3,200 to 4,200 students, according to Chancellor Andrew Martin. While there are no concrete plans for this project, the University hopes that with the new dorms all underclassmen can be housed on the South 40.

“WashU does have a long-term goal of having all first-year and sophomore students living on the South 40,” wrote Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications Julie Flory in an email to Student Life. “The rezoning allows us more flexibility for future housing, but we are not yet ready to share additional details.”

This project is now possible through a change in permit regulations on the South 40. Previously, the City of Clayton gave WashU single conditional use permits. Anna Krane, Clayton’s Director of Planning and Development Services, said these permits made it difficult for WashU to consider constructing new buildings or renovating existing buildings on the South 40.

“You end up with a bunch of conditional use permits, each one being granted when a specific building, or even a part of a building, was redeveloped,” Krane said. “That becomes administratively difficult. The community doesn’t really know the expectations, and even WashU has trouble tracking how the property is operating over time.” 

The proposed construction was motivated by student demand to live on campus, according to Martin in a Q & A with Student Life earlier this year. With WashU’s acquisition of Fontbonne University, Martin said the University has the opportunity to look at further student residential options. However, given the fiscal uncertainty in higher education, the finances of this project may be difficult. “We’ve got to get to a point [where] we understand what the financial model looks like going forward,” Martin said.  

Despite Martin’s suggestions that student demand for on-campus housing is up, some students have expressed concern over the University’s construction plans.  

First-year Baylea Porter voiced concern about the potential loss of green space due to new construction.

“The scenery that WashU gives is a very good benefit to the school,” she said. “Adding extra buildings and getting rid of the greenery could be pretty negative.” 

“I think that the South 40 as a mostly freshman environment is kind of important for the freshman year experience,” sophomore Emma Linden said. 

Sophomore and Village House resident Miriam Moyes said she enjoys the independence that residence halls outside the South 40 provide. Under the University’s current plans, Moyes would have been required to live on the South 40, which Moyes believes would have inhibited her living experience. She shares that these plans, “would limit the opportunity for independence if sophomores want that.” 

However, Moyes does see some potential benefits with this change. 

“It would create more cohesion in the sophomore class,” Moyes said. “It could also help the freshman and sophomores get closer.”