We are excited that Shenandoah University is on track to enroll its largest class of first-year students this fall.
In an effort to accommodate these students and to create a safe living and learning environment, SU is working to make our classrooms, residence halls and cafeterias less densely populated. To this end, Shenandoah is leasing the entire property and buildings currently occupied by the Perkins Restaurant and the Clarion Inn & Conference Center located on Millwood Avenue across from the university.
During this upcoming academic year, this additional space will help protect students’ health by reducing campus population density. Shenandoah is set to renovate the newly leased space for student housing and food service, while the former banquet area could also serve as potential classroom space. The property will also offer additional parking for students, which will alleviate the parking crunch on the main campus.
These buildings will provide 139 single rooms and a second cafeteria for use starting this fall. The space will help accommodate students who need a single room due to a medical condition or compromised immune system. We are also trying to accommodate those who might feel more comfortable in a single-occupancy space. The property will also offer students more outdoor spaces including a pool and a basketball court.
Although we are hopeful that everyone will remain healthy this fall, some of these rooms may end up being used as isolation/quarantine areas for students who become infected with COVID-19 or who have come in close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. The isolation/quarantine rooms will be separated from those occupied by healthy individuals.
After this year, the additional space will ensure that the university has the building capacity to expand its enrollment.
We are excited for this fall and for these new living and dining arrangements made possible with the partnership of the Vaden family, who have owned and operated Perkins and the Clarion for many years.
