By Associated Press - Monday, May 12, 2014

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Belhaven University President Roger Parrott has announced the school has received a $4 million gift for construction of new on-campus apartments for students.

Parrott made the announcement Saturday during annual graduation ceremonies.

Parrott said Robbie Hughes, a longtime supporter of the university, committed $4 million to help start the project, slated to begin this summer.

The complex will be named University Village and will be completed and ready for students in August 2015.

It will sit on the current site of the campus’ tennis courts, which will have to be relocated at another time, said Scott Little, vice president of student life.

Total cost will be $8 million. Parrott says the school will take out a construction loan from local banks for the remainder.

Once completed, Parrott said the new apartment-style residence will be able to house 132 students.

Each apartment will have four bedrooms and two full baths. Utilities and cable also will be included in the residence fees each semester.

“We have around 700 students living off campus in apartments,” said Parrott. “This will give some the opportunity to live closer.”

Parrott said campus housing was at capacity last fall.

Belhaven College is a four-year liberal arts college in Jackson. Until 1972, the college was owned and operated by the Synod of Mississippi, Presbyterian Church in the United States, through a Synod-elected board of trustees. In 1972, the Synod gave ownership of the college to a self-perpetuating board of trustees.

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