George T. Matthew Court: Married Student Housing

Built: 1981 | Type: student residences

Quick Facts

• • Construction onset: June 1980
  • Building Dedication: July 16, 1981
  • Cost: $2,025,000
  • Architect: Straub, VanDine, Dziurman Architects
  • Construction: Guaranteed Construction Co.
  • Funding: $1,825,000 Housing and Urban Development loan; $375,000 commercial loan
  • Specifications:  48 units
  • Namesake: George T. Matthews, charter member of Oakland University's faculty and former interim president (1979-1981).

History

In an effort to increase residential student enrollment, Oakland University sought to target an audience that many universities might have overlooked: Married students as well as those with young families.  Individuals in such situations, who may not have been in possession of the resources necessary to sustain accommodations elsewhere, were encouraged to reside on-campus while they pursued their education.

The location was chosen to enhance the students' aesthetic experience -- near a ravine and wooded area to the east of Hamlin Hall. The 48  Married Student Housing units were designed with two stories and two bedrooms each. Two of them were on single floors to provide access to people with disabilities.