Editor's note: The board passed the proposal on Sept. 6.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Board of Trustees Committee on Finance and Investment advanced a proposal today (Sept. 5) to renovate the existing bathrooms and add new bed capacity at Hamilton Hall on the University Park campus. The proposal will be considered by the full board at its meeting on Sept. 6.  

The project aims to complete the Hamilton Hall bathroom renovations that began in 2019, when one of the four primary bathroom sections was renovated with a transformational result for residents.  

“These upgrades reflect our commitment to providing students with a modern and comfortable living environment that enhances their college experience,” said David Snyder, associate vice president for Auxiliary and Business Services.   

West Halls was built from 1923 through 1950 and provides 11% of University Park undergraduate housing. Hamilton Hall, completed in 1950, contains 626 beds and most of its original 74-year-old communal bathrooms.  

The proposed timeline for the project begins in fall 2024 and will sequentially renovate one section of bathrooms at a time to minimize the impact on students living in the hall.  

Additionally, the University aims to increase the University Park on-campus bed count by 39 beds in Hamilton Hall with a conversion of underutilized storage space on the third and fourth floors to new residential rooms.