By james art 
The university hopes to welcome the students in the new hostel in 2027.
Orangeburg County, SC – The Council of Trustees at South Carolina State University of State University gave approval for the construction of a new housing dormitory on campus using federal higher education loans. The new facility will be located between Mitchell Hall and Oliver C. Dawson Football Stadium and is expected to hold 400 to 500 students.
The university plans to demolish the existing basketball court to make room for the hostel. Construction is part of a bigger initiative to improve the availability of housing for students.
“It’s fantastic to hear, I’m glad they actually listen to what American students should say and actually show us that they are standing with us,” says Dontrel Peter, a student in South Carolina.
The new hostel is being created to deal with the shortage of housing that have left some students in difficult situations. Student Cormari Jones said the school needs a good home, especially for those who face financial challenges.
“It is important because not everyone has the opportunity to come to college. I know many people who want to come to college and make better life decisions for themselves, but they simply have no means and the opportunity to come to college, so the housing situation must be better not only in our college, But every college, so more people can improve their lives, “Jones said.
Kimora Aiken, another student, said that transport problems also contribute to housing difficulties, as some students have no means of easy to reach the campus.
“There is a need because there are students like me who don’t really drive the way I have nowhere, I have to literally travel to the campus or like to ask a friend to let me go. There is no easy transportation, “Aiken said.
Dontrell Paytor shared his attempt to be placed on a housing list through his freshman.
“You have students who drive back -back like me. Before driving back and forth through my freshman until I received a home. I was included in the waiting list, so I did not receive a home within a month after the start of the school. There are other people who are in the same scenario as me or the same boat, “Peitor said.
In a statement to News19, South Carolina State University said that the university approved by the Board of Trustees also allowed the university to be able to pursue federal loans for higher education for additional capital projects. These loans, including those for the new hostel, could amount to a maximum of $ 125 million.
The school also filed its budget request 2025-2026, which includes plans for repair at Nance Hall, the construction of a new health and wellness center, a new convening center and other improvements to the campus.