UO pauses plans for second residence hall in East Campus area

The University of Oregon is pausing plans for the construction of a second residence hall in the area east of campus, a project that had raised objections from neighbors.

UO spokesperson Angela Seydel said the second phase of UO’s East Campus student housing expansion — a five-story residence hall on the southeast corner of 17th Avenue and Moss Street planned to be built by 2028 — is now “on hold.”

The news was first reported by the university’s student newspaper, The Daily Emerald.

“Additional phases, including the second residence hall, will be implemented in the future based upon the needs of students and funding available,” Seydel said in an email to Lookout Eugene-Springfield.

The decision was made as part of the university’s budget review process this summer, as the university expects fewer first-year students in the fall, Seydel said. In 2024 plans for the new residence halls, the university cited an “immediate need” to build additional student housing to “meet current demand and anticipated growth.” 

UO projects a roughly $23 million budget gap in fiscal year 2027 that is forecast to reach $65 million by 2031, primarily due to a drop in out-of-state enrollment.

As part of summer budgeting, university officials are modeling general fund budget reductions between 5% and 15%, and working with a newly established committee for faculty, staff and student input into the budget process.

The planned second residence hall was controversial in the neighborhood. In May, the Eugene City Council approved a set of land-use changes proposed by UO that, among other things, allowed taller buildings to be built in an area long seen as a buffer between campus and the surrounding Fairmount neighborhood. 

Many believed the neighborhood association’s board would appeal the decision to the state’s land use board of appeals. But now, the plan is on back burner. 

The board of Fairmount Neighbors didn’t immediately return a request for comment. Seydel said UO representatives have shared the information with “Fairmount neighborhood leadership.”

The first phase of the East Campus expansion, the construction of a seven-story residence hall south of 17th Avenue between Moss and Columbia streets, is still on track and is expected to open in fall 2027.

“There may be opportunities for more upper division students to remain on campus,” Seydel said.

UO currently requires only first-year students to live in campus housing.

Seydel added that UO’s housing service is entirely funded by students’ room and board fees. On-campus housing and food expenses for the 2026-27 year are about $18,183 while off-campus food and rent costs total about $14,025, according to university estimates.

“Our rates are based on the cost of the building, maintenance, staffing and construction loans,” Seydel said. “Everything goes to support the student experience in learning centered residential communities.”