University of Idaho students living in Ballard Wing, a section of the Wallace Residence Center, will be moved to Stevenson Wing, either at the end of this fall semester or the start of the spring semester, depending on the state of Stevenson’s construction.
Current Ballard residents will be moved to Stevenson for the remainder of the academic year so that construction and renovations can begin in Ballard, according to the UI website.
Students living in Ballard expressed concerns over the lack of communication about how the transfer to Stevenson will occur.
“I was informed about a week ago by my roommate. There has been no official confirmation” said Emmeline Fields, a second-year general education major. “From what I’ve heard, there is going to be a price increase, too.”
“I understand and agree with why the university needs to renovate the building. I believe Ballard needs renovation; I just wish I was informed sooner.” said Tadman Nettles, a first-year resident of Ballard, majoring in philosophy. Students were not informed prior to or during move-in week of the future renovation plans.
John Kosh, the director of business development marketing and communications at UI, was asked for more information about the Stevenson construction. “Our first priority is to communicate directly to impacted residents, so they have clear guidance before we release anything externally,” said Kosh in an email response.
Kosh said to expect a clearer timeline in the “coming weeks.” Stevenson’s construction remains on schedule.
UI has consistently held a policy that requires all registered freshman to live on campus. The construction project is set to increase the number of beds in all housing areas to help accommodate the growing enrollment numbers, while still adhering to the on-campus living policy. Before construction, Theopolis Tower, Wallace Residence Center and the Living Learning Communities held roughly 2,074 beds combined. By fall 2027, UI estimates around 2,110 beds in total. During Stevenson’s renovation and shutdown, the North Campus Communities were used to house displaced students.
“The on-campus living requirement is essential to the success of our students and their connection to the UI community,” said Erik Elordi, the executive director of campus services, in a previous story by The Argonaut.
This construction is part of the university’s $162 million construction project renovating Theophilus Tower, Wallace Residence Center and the Elmwood Apartments, as well as tearing down and building new South Hill Apartments. Ballard’s construction will start once Stevenson’s construction is completed. Theophilus Tower recently finished its top floor’s renovations, with the remaining floors that require work to be completed during the summers of 2026 and 2027.
UI began construction and remodeling quickly after the project was approved by the Idaho State Board of Education in November 2024 with the old South Hill Apartments’ demolition. The construction project is scheduled to be completed in August 2027. Stevenson Wing and the Theophilus Tower began construction in May 2025.
The construction to the freshman-priority wing comes at a time when enrollment is at a high, with the university reporting housing at 92% capacity at the beginning of the fall semester.
The four wings of the Wallace Residence Center can house up to 800 students. Ballard, Willey, Gooding and Stevenson Wings are connected by the dining hall. Typically, Ballard, Willey, and Gooding are reserved for first-years, with Stevenson being given to upperclassmen.
Austin Kieckhefer can be reached at [email protected].