Themes of student success resounded Tuesday at the groundbreaking of SkyView, the latest student housing project on the Northern Arizona University campus.
SkyView is the fourth project at NAU in partnership with American Campus Communities, the nation’s largest owner, developer and manager of high-quality student housing. Upon its opening in fall 2017, the 284,982-square-foot residential community will house 626 students in 163 units.
The groundbreaking event was held at the International Pavilion and was attended by representatives from both the university and ACC, including NAU President Rita Cheng and CEO Bill Bayless of ACC.
“We must ensure our students have the academic facilities and support services they need to be successful in a global workforce, and their educational experience is our first priority,” Cheng said. “Our housing partnership with ACC allows us to also keep pace with needs for on-campus housing, while focusing the university’s funding where it should be—on student success.”
SkyView will feature a two-story community center that includes private study rooms, a quiet study loft and an Academic Success Center. An on-site parking garage will add more than 700 spaces for residents, faculty and staff, bringing total parking spaces to 9,500 on campus.
NAU ranks in the top 1 percent nationally for total on-campus housing capacity, which will reach 9,768 students once SkyView opens.
“We’re excited to further the NAU-ACC partnership with the development of SkyView,” Bayless said. “President Cheng’s dedication to creating a strong student housing portfolio has resulted in a rewarding and successful partnership that creates an extraordinary college living experience for NAU students.”