Sept. 9, 1997 Contact Pauline Austin (541) 346-3129 Source: Mike Eyster, UO housing director, (541) 346-4269 EDITOR'S NOTE: Student Orientation begins Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the University of Oregon and classes start on Monday, Sept. 29. Projected fall 1997 enrollment is 17,200 students. In fall of 1996, UO enrollment was 17,269 students. EUGENE--The University of Oregon will welcome students this fall with a completed Spencer View Family Housing complex. "We finished the second and final phase in August, ahead of schedule and under budget," said Mike Eyster, UO housing director. Phase II of the Spencer View complex opened Aug. 25, and students are still in the process of moving in. Located within walking distance of campus at East 24th Avenue and Patterson Street, the complex is expected to be fully occupied fall term. "We're delighted about the positive reactions from student residents and from the community at large about the complex," said Eyster. On campus, the university's 36 residence halls open for most students at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Approximately 3,000 students will be living in campus housing this fall; campus housing opened with 3,250 students in the fall of 1996. "The good news for students is that there's no waiting list this year and we're able to place all of our students requesting housing. We're also better able to meet the strong demand for single rooms this fall," said Eyster, who expects to be signing more students up for housing as the start of classes approaches. As in previous years, the UO is offering a number of special interest residence halls in an effort to bring students together who have common interests. These include the International House, the Music Hall, the Honors Hall, the Academic and Outdoor Pursuits Halls, the Health and Fitness Hall, the Cross Cultural Hall and the Substance Free Hall. Construction on the Spencer View complex began Spring 1995 and Phase I opened Fall 1996. The Spencer View complex includes 33 two- and three-story structures with 272 two- and three-bedroom apartments, each of which has multiple data ports with direct Internet network access. The buildings are arranged in neighborhoods around common areas, and each neighborhood has its own laundry facilities and covered and open play areas. The complex also includes a 15,000 square-foot Commons Building which contains a daycare and family center, a community room, and a housing complex office and reception space. Two-bedroom apartments rent for $445 per month, and three-bedroom units rent for $545 per month. The Spencer View project budget was $16 million, and the project was completed for approximately $15.3 million. The complex, financed without taxpayer money, is funded through the sale of 30-year, state-issued bonds that will be paid off with student rental fees. Spencer View replaced the former Amazon Family Housing complex, a World War II era temporary housing structure that developed serious safety and structural problems. -30- #O-4008/Local,OrDailies,PDX