Dordt University to begin construction on new housing option for upperclassmen

This fall, Dordt University will begin construction on a set of cottages, the newest housing option for college upperclassmen.

Located on the corner of 7th Street NE and 4th Avenue NE, the cottages will be six units that will house six students each. Set to be completed by fall 2025, work on the cottages will begin before Thanksgiving.

Fred Verwoerd, vice president of operations, describes the cottages as “community, residential style.”

“The cottages will resemble small houses without garages. We would like them to fit seamlessly into the local neighborhood,” he says.

Derek Buteyn, associate dean of students, says that the cottages provide a unique opportunity to develop a close-knit community. “The intent behind the design is to create a neighborhood feel where students can know one another, and live and share and care for each other.”

One way the cottages will help students build community is through a natural gathering space, as the cottages will likely be centered around a courtyard.

Students have different needs and wants, which Dordt tries to address through housing options. “Housing freshmen and sophomores in the dorms provides an initial step into independence, while also optimizing opportunity to create meaningful relationships,” says Buteyn. “As those relationships strengthen and deepen through the first few years, they’re ready to move as upperclassmen to more independent housing with their closest friends.”

Verwoerd agrees. “I like the idea of providing a variety of housing styles to meet different student needs and desires; I think that’s a good thing,” he says.

This is the third year in a row that Dordt has committed to constructing more on-campus housing options for students. This is also the fourth year in a row that Dordt has seen an increase in headcount and full-time equivalent enrollment; the institution’s overall enrollment this fall was 1,943, which was the largest enrollment in Dordt’s history.

“As we look at our enrollment projections for next year and beyond, we realize that we need more housing to accommodate our growing population,” adds Buteyn. “The cottages allow us to meet that need, provide a Dordt living experience, and keep students within our community.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.