The Oakland University Board of Trustees voted Monday to pass the current proposed housing plan.

The plan includes the creation of a new building which will provide 550 beds for students. It is scheduled to open in fall 2014.

The building is projected to be built across from both Vandenberg and Hamilin Hall, according to OU Student Congress Vice President Robbie Williford. It will also be be built to LEED standards, keeping sustainability in mind.

“In terms of what it teaches to our students, in terms of energy efficiency, it is important and speaks broader to the community surrounding us,” Trustee Ronald Robinson said. “Universities really should be institutions that are leaders. I think Oakland, to be LEED certified, will speak to these issues.”

The cost of the building is not to exceed $29.9 million and includes a 6 percent owner-controlled contingency cost, which includes building design, design development, construction documents, construction administration, construction, telecommunications, furnishing, fees and equipment.

“By expanding our housing, we can get students from farther away,” said John Beaghan, vice president of finance and administration.  “We don’t have to have students stay in a hotel down the street.”

Trustee Mark Schlussel asked to abstain from the vote because of business connections with NewmannSmith. BOT Chairman Michael Kramer also asked to abstain from the vote because he was against the methodology. Aside from their abstinents, the proposal was passed unanimously.

On-campus housing has been in high demand at Oakland since fall 2011, when students were first placed at the Homestead Studio Suites Hotel on Squirrel Road.

The Oakland Post will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.