This fall, as throngs of University of Iowa students head back to campus and the university welcomes a new first-year cohort, some 500 students will become the first occupants of the newest residence hall on campus: the Mary Louise Petersen Residence Hall.

Members of the media were invited April 16 to take a sneak peek at the west-side residence hall, which is nearing the end of construction between Rienow and Hillcrest halls. The 501-bed facility contains living-learning community and “cluster” room arrangements, typical public and support spaces, academic spaces (including one medium-sized seminar-style classroom), a study commons area, and a small food service facility. Full food service will be provided at Hillcrest.

Petersen Hall, named for 1951 UI College of Education alumna and former member of the Iowa Board of Regents Mary Louise Petersen, is intended to address a shortage of student living space on campus. The last on-campus dormitory—Slater Hall, across the road to the south—was built in 1968, and the student population has doubled since then. The Regents recently approved the construction of a 1,023-bed residence hall on the east side; dubbed Madison Street Residence hall, the 12-story facility will be located west of the North Campus Parking Ramp and is expected to be open to students in the fall of 2017.

The $53 million Petersen Hall, which has been certified LEED silver status, will start limited furniture and equipment delivery in May, with student room furniture coming in July. Move-in starts Aug. 19.