The University of Maine at Augusta community recently gathered at Stevens Commons in Hallowell to break ground on a new 60-bed residence hall.
What began in 2019 when UMA welcomed its first 34 residential students to Stevens Hall, has steadily grown as more students choose to live near campus and participate in daily student life.
Erskine Hall increased housing capacity to 48 beds in 2020, and Cleveland Hall, which opened fall of 2023, brought the total number of beds to 102.
Demand exceeded supply almost immediately, and the 2025-2026 housing need increased by 35%. To keep up, UMA introduced short-term housing options and a waitlist while planning for continued expansion.
UMA is responding to that need. Margaret Chase Morrill Hall will expand housing while adding new shared spaces, including a café that gives students a place to eat, gather, and spend time together, with the added convenience of being right where they live. It will be a fresh place for those everyday experiences that build lasting memories of college life.
At the groundbreaking, students helped tell that story. Lillian Cox, a third-year interdisciplinary studies major and captain of the women’s basketball team, and Skyla Dean, a sophomore nursing student and multi-sport athlete, spoke about what it means to be part of this close-knit community.
While UMA remains a leader in distance education, expanded housing creates opportunities for students to shape their college experience in meaningful ways. More students who take on-site courses, like those in Nursing and Medical Laboratory Technology, will be able to live close to campus. More housing will also enable growth for our athletics department as we pursue NCAA Division III status. Being part of a local student community creates space for building friendships and connecting through in-person campus experiences like concerts, lectures, student activities, and athletic events.
UMA’s new residence hall is named for Margaret Chase Morrill, the first woman to graduate from the University of Maine’s civil engineering program. It is expected to open in fall 2027.
