St. Edward's University Eyes Possible $100 Million Expansion

Dr. George E. Martin has big plans for St. Edward’s University on Congress St. in Austin.The president of the private, Catholic liberal arts institution for nearly 3,700 students not only wants to double student enrollment by 2010, but is proposing an ambitious master plan – costing possibly $100 million – to add at least a dozen campus buildings.

University officials are quick to point out the cost or potential funding sources haven’t fine-tuned. St. Edward’s board of trustees is expected to approve Martin’s plan at its Sept. 15 meeting, according to sources.

To double the student population, the university will need at least 50 more classrooms and as many as 1,400 extra beds to accommodate that kind of enrollment increase, say officials. Martin’s preliminary plan calls for the demolition of four residence halls — Fleck, Premont, Doyle and Andre. The school’s wooden chapel, which also has been a bowling alley and a rifle range, most likely would be torn down as well. The president’s proposal calls for new halls on the northwest and northeast parts of the campus, with new classroom buildings erected east of the Main Building.