Town and Gown Committee thrilled hundreds of student housing units to be built at UOIT

OSHAWA, Ont. - The Oshawa Town and Gown Committee is thrilled that the work and effort of many committed partners has led to the announcement of hundreds of new student housing beds at Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).

An additional 800 students beds will be available on campus by September 2009 for students in the upper years of their programs of study, with 350 expected to be available as early as September 2008. In an effort to further attract students, the new space will be created as apartment-style units on the west side of the Oshawa, Ontario campus, providing students with the opportunity to live an independent lifestyle that is similar to being off campus. This will bring the total number of student housing spaces to more than 2,100.

"The members of the Town and Gown Committee welcome the news of the new housing initiative," said Michelle Bray, Town and Gown chairperson. "It is gratifying to know the work of the committee over the past several months has resulted in this significant development. UOIT and Durham College have heard our messages and they have responded in a positive way. The committee thanks all of those involved at Durham College, UOIT and the Student Association for their hard work and commitment.

"We also thank the UOIT and Durham College Boards of Governors for taking this important step toward achieving their vision for the future. We look forward to continued co-operation as we all work toward a healthy and harmonious relationship between our educational institutions and the surrounding communities."

Established in the fall of 2006, the mission of the Oshawa Town and Gown Committee is to address the needs and concerns of Durham College and UOIT faculty and students, the neighbouring communities surrounding the campus, the interests of the City of Oshawa and to work towards peaceful and harmonious relations. The committee is comprised of representatives for the City of Oshawa, local residents, the Durham Regional Police Services, UOIT, Durham College and the student body.

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Media contact
Tony Doyle
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
tony.doyle@dc-uoit.ca