A Board of Regents committee approved plans last week to build a South Campus apartment by 2010, unveiling its second housing project this academic year.

But local politicians, who have ripped the administration for its response to the area’s housing shortage since it denied seniors from dorms last year, are not relenting in their calls for the university to announce a plan to build 5,000 beds on-campus.

Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s) called the system’s decision a “small step in the right direction,” but said if university officials do not hammer out plans in the next few weeks to build 5,000 new beds on or around the campus, he will force their hands with legislation in Annapolis.

Rosapepe blasted the administration in a Residence Halls Association meeting last semester and has been working with university officials since last year to make concrete plans for more housing.

“We need to get this wrapped up sooner rather than later,” Rosapepe said. “Three hundred is not sufficient.” However, “there are a number of other projects being negotiated that would provide many, many more [beds],” referring to private student housing proposals in the works for the city.

Vice President for Administrative Affairs Doug Duncan said Rosapepe’s concerns were valid, but he seemed unsure if the senator would follow through on his proposal.

When asked whether he thought the senator would initiate such an unprecedented move for the state house, Duncan said, “I have no idea.”

“The motivation is that we need more beds for students and more apartments for students and we’re working to get that,” he said, adding that finishing building the housing necessary for 5,000 more beds was “years away.”

University System of Maryland Chancellor Brit Kirwan said other housing will be built in the future, and this project is one of more to come for the university.

The administration has not yet decided if the building would be apart of the South Campus Commons or if it would be separate. But like Commons, it would probably be geared towards upperclassmen, said Vice President for Student Affairs Linda Clement.

The proposal for the South Campus housing unit will be voted on by the full board on Feb. 15.

The housing will cost about $35.5 million, and the cost is expected to be paid by the building’s residents, similar to how Commons and University Courtyards, Clement said.

The university also wants to have the housing be certified LEED Silver, a rating that would require the building to comply with strict environmental standards.

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