Housing

Moving on up: The Union at Dearborn expands with additional 63 units

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 18:27:24 +0000

Moving on up: The Union at Dearborn expands with additional 63 units admin Fri, 07/10/2015 - 14:27

The new units will include studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom layouts. Developer Larry Winokur said he believes the new construction will appeal to junior- and senior-level students who are looking for more personal space.

“These will have a more mature feel to them with edgier furniture, washer/dryers in most units and fewer bedroom options,” said Winokur, adding that the first phase development included 3- and 4-bedroom units. “We knew there was a market for smaller units where the residents would have more privacy.”

Winokur said the new units are completely booked for fall. In total, about 66 percent of the complex is leased for the September move-in date—on pace with last year’s leasing numbers.

“After we opened in September 2014 at almost 100 percent leased, we were comfortable moving forward with additional units,” he said. “We anticipate we’ll be full for the fall if we do the same amount of leasing in July and August as we did last year.”

The Union at Dearborn opened in September 2013 as the first housing option specifically designed for ��-Dearborn students in more than 25 years. The privately owned complex, located across Evergreen Road from ��-Dearborn’s main campus, opened with 145 units and 505 beds in 2013.

“The addition of student housing provides our students with a true residential campus experience, and it allows the university to recruit students from outside of our traditional marketing area,” said Ray Metz, interim vice chancellor for enrollment management and student life. “It is very exciting and encouraging news that student demand has led to the expansion of The Union.”

��-Dearborn continues to lease 15,000 square feet within The Union for student life activities and office space.

Housing

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Fri, 07/10/2015 - 18:27

University of Michigan-Dearborn students who reside at The Union at Dearborn are preparing to welcome a few more neighbors this fall. Managing company Urban Campus Communities currently is building 63 new units, which will house an additional 99 residents.

Student volunteers launch pedestrian safety campaign

admin — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 01:56:20 +0000

Student volunteers launch pedestrian safety campaign admin Wed, 09/18/2013 - 21:56

Jeff Evans, vice chancellor for business affairs, Kenneth Paris, Public Safety police lieutenant, and Judy Modelski, assistant to the vice chancellor for business affairs, help Student Government volunteers kick off their pedestrian safety campaign.

“This crosswalk is a new feature. It will take some time and education to ensure that all those driving along Evergreen Road and using the crosswalk will do so in a safe manner,” said Judy Modelski, assistant to the vice chancellor for business affairs. “We tell the students, ‘Every time you hit the crosswalk button, you are helping to train a driver.’”

Approximately 30 students have volunteered to help educate the campus community on how to properly and safely use the crosswalk. Volunteers distribute instructional handouts and caution walkers to be vigilant and aware as they cross Evergreen.

"It is imperative that we, as students, are helping educate other students on the importance of safety on our campus," said Student Government Speaker of the Senate Rima Rida, who organized the campaign. "As a Student Government, we represent the student body and we must fulfill this duty to our utmost capability."

The volunteer campaign is scheduled to run through next week.

As a reminder, the crosswalk signal lights operate as follows:

All three round lights are normally dark when the system is not in use.
- Drivers: Proceed if no pedestrians are in crosswalk.
- Pedestrians: Do not cross. Drivers have the right of way and probably will not stop.
A pedestrian pushes the button: The system is activated and the bottom light begins as a flashing yellow light.
- Drivers: Approach with caution. Prepare to stop.
- Pedestrians: Do not cross.
The bottom light turns to a steady yellow light just before it turns to the red phase.
- Drivers: Stop if possible.
- Pedestrians: Do no cross.
The two top lights become a steady red.
- Drivers: Stop. Do not proceed.
- Pedestrians: Check for oncoming traffic and cross intersection if safe. Activate the crosswalk signal again in the median/middle of the intersection before proceeding across the other side of Evergreen.
The two top red lights start alternate flashing just before going dark (when the pedestrian countdown is at 12-11-10...2-1).
- Drivers: Stop then proceed if clear.
- Pedestrians: DO NOT CROSS. Press the button and wait for the next crossing cycle to begin again.
When the system is no longer activated, all three round lights become dark again.
- Drivers: Proceed if no pedestrians are in crosswalk.
- Pedestrians: Do not cross. Drivers have the right of way and probably will not stop.

Housing

University-wide

Student Life

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Thu, 09/19/2013 - 01:56

Volunteers from University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Student Government began a pedestrian safety campaign this week at the new Evergreen Road crosswalk connecting The Union at Dearborn to the university.

Students move into The Union at Dearborn

admin — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 21:31:46 +0000

Students move into The Union at Dearborn admin Tue, 09/03/2013 - 17:31

Alfred Kishek, Mike Lane, Jonathan Dietrich and Jason Learst help students move into The Union at Dearborn.

“It was an exceptional day for our students as they will now have the opportunity to experience residential life while pursuing their studies,” said Chancellor Daniel E. Little. “This was also a great day for the campus community, bringing to fruition many years of hard work aimed at providing our students with a housing option.”

For students like Nick Church, the desire for a residential college experience was a huge draw to The Union. Church, a junior mechanical engineering student, had been living with his parents in Allen Park.

“I decided to live at The Union because I was looking more for that total college life experience. With living so close to campus and becoming part of The Union community, I am hoping that school can become more of a ‘lifestyle,’” he said.

That lifestyle includes attending campus events and getting to know his new neighbors at The Union.

Maria Rodriguez, a sophomore marketing/pre-business student from Dearborn Heights, echoed Church’s sentiments as she moved into her apartment. And as a student-athlete, the proximity to campus will let her make the most of her spare moments.

“I felt like living on campus would be a good experience,” she said. “And now I can stop at the apartment between classes and practice.”

Construction of the complex took just less than a year to complete, as developer Urban Campus Communities (UCC) broke ground last September. On August 21 of this year, UCC joined with ��-Dearborn and community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This project, we believe, will be transformative to the future of campus and to the nature of student life on campus,” Little said during the ceremony.

Little believes The Union will lay the foundation for enrollment growth. Already, The Union has welcomed students from across Michigan and from 11 different states.

Students by area of residence (as of Aug. 15):

Wayne County: 145 students
Oakland County: 62 students
Washtenaw County: 22 students
Macomb County: 17 students
All other Michigan counties: 25 students
United States (outside of Michigan): 11 students
International: 90 students

A large portion of The Union will be open to all members of the university community. ��-Dearborn has leased 15,000 square feet within the facility for student life activities, called The Victors’ Den. The area includes informal gathering spaces, meeting and study rooms, a performance space and several student life offices.

“The majority of students will continue to commute to campus, but The Union and Victors’ Den will bring a breath of fresh air to what we know as student life,” Wedad Ibrahim, student government president, said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “The Union now allows for a place where students can continue their growth as individuals and as agents of change on this campus.”

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Tue, 09/03/2013 - 21:31

University of Michigan-Dearborn ushered in a new era in student life September 1 as more than 400 students moved into The Union at Dearborn. The privately owned complex is the first housing option specifically designed for ��-Dearborn students in more than 25 years.

Photo Gallery: The Union at Dearborn ribbon-cutting ceremony

admin — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 20:26:37 +0000

Photo Gallery: The Union at Dearborn ribbon-cutting ceremony admin Wed, 08/21/2013 - 16:26

Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly, officials from UCC and Ford Land, Student Government President Wedad Ibrahim and Chancellor Daniel Little officially “opened” the new student housing apartment complex.

Members of the community and media had the opportunity to tour the apartments, fitness facilities and ��-Dearborn’s leased space – The Victors’ Den.

Housing

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Wed, 08/21/2013 - 20:26

Urban Campus Communities held a ribbon cutting ceremony at The Union at Dearborn this afternoon, 11 days before students move into the complex.

Photo gallery: The Union at Dearborn

admin — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 14:55:43 +0000

Photo gallery: The Union at Dearborn admin Fri, 08/09/2013 - 10:55

Last month, several of our students showed their ��-Dearborn pride during a photo shoot.

Housing

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Fri, 08/09/2013 - 14:55

Students are ready to move into The Union at Dearborn on September 1, but we have a sneak peek inside now.

Crosswalk to connect ��-Dearborn with The Union at Dearborn

admin — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:09:10 +0000

Crosswalk to connect ��-Dearborn with The Union at Dearborn admin Mon, 07/15/2013 - 10:09

A new concrete sidewalk will run from the front of the CASL Building, along the grassy island separating parking lots E6 and E7, up to Evergreen Road. There, it will connect to a signalized crossing being built by the City of Dearborn.

Contractors have barricaded off a narrow section of the parking lots on either side of the island, with temporary handicapped parking spots available south of the construction zone. The drive lanes at both ends of the island also are closed to traffic.

Drivers are asked to enter lots E5 and E6 from the entrance across from the University Center. Those wishing to enter lot E7 can use the entrance near the Fieldhouse. Drivers will not be able to drive from lots E5 and E6 to and from E7.

Once the crosswalk is completed, a pedestrian and bike path will be installed from The Union to the Fairlane Center South, as part of an MDOT grant for non-motorized transportation. The Gateway path, crosswalks, landscape and lighting are expected to be completed by November 15.

Housing

University-wide

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Mon, 07/15/2013 - 14:09

As construction of The Union at Dearborn wraps-up, contractors began working on the Evergreen Road crosswalk to connect main campus to the housing development. The crosswalk, which is an extension of the Rouge Gateway Path, will be completed by Thursday, August 15.

Construction continues on The Union at Dearborn

admin — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:36:39 +0000

Construction continues on The Union at Dearborn admin Wed, 02/13/2013 - 13:36

The privately owned and operated facility is on schedule to open this fall. The Union also will feature space leased by the university student life activities, including meeting rooms, student gathering spaces, group study rooms, offices for student organizations and a cabaret-style theater.

Housing

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Wed, 02/13/2013 - 18:36

The new housing option available for students at ��-Dearborn.

Midnight Madness: The Union at Dearborn offers first onsite event

admin — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:30:08 +0000

Midnight Madness: The Union at Dearborn offers first onsite event admin Fri, 01/25/2013 - 16:30

Seven months before residents move in, students will get their first chance to survey the grounds of The Union at Dearborn during the complex’s Midnight Madness event.

Midnight Madness takes place this Thursday, January 31, at The Union’s construction site. The evening offers food and entertainment for all attendees and leasing deals for University of Michigan-Dearborn students.

“We are all so excited about this event,” said Steve Ostipow, general manager for The Union. “Our goal is to get the ��-Dearborn community excited and connected to what’s happening at The Union.”

All students, parents, faculty and staff members are welcome to attend Midnight Madness.

The event, which runs from 6 p.m.-midnight, includes:

Music provided by a DJ
Sample food from local restaurants
Buffalo Wild Wings wing challenges
“Midnight Madness” games with a chance for students to win prizes including a flat screen TV, Blue Ray player, espresso machine, Michigan bathroom set and ��-Dearborn t-shirts
An opportunity to qualify for a free bedroom at The Union at Dearborn

“The event will be a ton of fun for students. They can play games and dance all night while enjoying great food and learning more about The Union,” Ostipow said.

Students also can sign leases during Midnight Madness. The Union currently is running a leasing special for students, with the reservation fee cut in half to $200. The special will run through February 2.

Ostipow said two-bed, two-bath apartments, as well as studio apartments are filling quickly.

“Students will get a great deal during Midnight Madness. But more than that, we want all students to get a feel for who we are,” Ostipow said.

Housing

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Fri, 01/25/2013 - 21:30

Construction continues on The Union at Dearborn

Crafting a community

admin — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:21:51 +0000

Crafting a community admin Fri, 01/18/2013 - 17:21

Ali Elsaghir and Paige Heaven show off the model room for The Union at Dearborn

Paige Heaven spends too much time in her car.

She lives with her dad in Canton, driving to and from campus six days a week—sometimes, she admits, twice a day if she’s forgotten something.

So it comes as no surprise that she was excited to hear about The Union at Dearborn, the new housing option for ��-Dearborn students.

“I really love this campus; I love being involved,” she said. “For me, the only thing it was missing was housing.”

Heaven is one of eight students hired by The Union at Dearborn to help shape the new living experience as a community assistant (CA). While they wait for construction to finish, the CAs set up shop on the second floor of the University Center, drumming up excitement for the complex and encouraging students to sign up for the housing option.

“We’re here for students to come in, get their questions answered,” said Ali Elsaghir, another CA. “We’re excited for this opportunity and we want students to take advantage of the option. It’s definitely a step in the right direction for the university.”

Both students look forward to a time when residents and non-residents alike can use The Union as a gathering place.

“There will be a fitness center, meeting areas for student orgs. It’s going to be a place where everyone can hangout,” Elsaghir said.

The CAs’ role will change as students move in this fall. They’ll shift from leasing agents to community builders.

Friendly competitions with neighbors, weekly events, door decorations, laundry seminars—the ideas are already flowing.

“I’ll start sending ideas to our boss, Steve Ostipow,” Heaven said. “And he’ll say, ‘Those are great ideas. Let’s get the residents moved in first.’”

Ostipow, general manager for The Union, admires the students’ enthusiasm.

“I’m fortunate to have a group of students who really see how this project is more than a job and more than just an apartment complex. They all felt very strongly that this housing community was an opportunity to be part of something new, big and exciting,” he said.

Something, Heaven says, completely different than what ��-Dearborn students are used to.

“When they live at The Union, I want them to have that full college experience,” she said. “It’s unlike any other living experience they’ll have. It’s going to be fun.”

Housing

University-wide

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Fri, 01/18/2013 - 22:21

Students plan for a future in The Union at Dearborn

Housing

Moving on up: The Union at Dearborn expands with additional 63 units

Student volunteers launch pedestrian safety campaign

Students move into The Union at Dearborn

Photo Gallery: The Union at Dearborn ribbon-cutting ceremony

Photo gallery: The Union at Dearborn

Crosswalk to connect ������-Dearborn with The Union at Dearborn

Construction continues on The Union at Dearborn

Midnight Madness: The Union at Dearborn offers first onsite event

Crafting a community

Crosswalk to connect ��-Dearborn with The Union at Dearborn