dorms

Trustees have approved spending up to $1 million on the Hill Hall project.

Task force chairman Steve Harshman says he doesn't think the Cooper House is in danger of being demolished.

He noted that White Hall has a comparable population to the town of Big Piney.

The legislation gives the university Board of Trustees some discretion where to build the dorms.

The project is expected to be completed by this year's fall semester.

It also directs the university to create a task force that will include several lawmakers to help oversee the project.

The proposal comes as UW administrators are working with state legislators on a full overhaul of the campus's dormitories.

The initial draft proposes a variety of housing styles at different costs.

Others aren't on board with the idea recently presented to a state committee.

The university's closure of two dorm buildings last year is also contributing to the impending student housing shortage.