Summer 2018

Rieth Jones Advisors (RJA) is retained by EMU to coordinate the Housing Master Planning process, completed student surveys and focus groups to gauge student interests and demands related to housing.

Fall 2018

RJA coordinates student surveys and focus groups, as well as market analysis, to gauge student interests and demands related to housing. 2,100+ students responded to the student survey and there were ~25 focus group participants.

April 2019

Student Government approved a resolution noting that “the majority of EMU Housing has not been renovated for over 50 years, leaving us substandard housing stock that creates unfair distractions from learning due to heating, cooling, and plumbing issues” and “Student Government acknowledges the necessity of a significant investment in housing, but regardless of how such an investment in the University's housing facilities occurs, the University must take a "Student First" approach”.

June 2020

The University resumed the planning process and issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to gauge the interest of potential partners to provide financing, development, and operations for EMU’s investment in student housing facilities. The University subsequently paused the process again in response to a request from the Faculty Senate and to focus on COVID-19 mitigation efforts for the fall 2020 semester.

February 2021

A committee of faculty and staff reviewed the responses to the RFQ and recommended that four firms be considered for a possible partnership.

October 2021

A committee of faculty, staff, and a student reviewed the responses to the RFP, conducted multiple interviews of the respondents, and forwarded a recommendation to President Smith.

October 2022

Groundbreaking on new construction projects. (Lakeview and Westview).

Fall 2023

Downing, Putnam, Walton will re-open Fall 2023.