In recent years, UMA has added dorms in an effort to increase campus life, build peer connections and give students better access to academic and support services.
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The University of Maine at Augusta broke ground April 15 on its fourth residence hall at 2 Beach St. in Hallowell.
The site is known as Stevens Commons, a complex led by Mastway Development Inc.
Mastway Development, which is based in Hallowell and led by Matt Morrill, is serving as the developer and general contractor and owns the residence halls at Stevens Commons. UMA leases the halls from Mastway.
The new building includes a 15-year agreement, with lease payments beginning in August 2027, a UMA spokesperson told Mainebiz.
The new residence hall, with 60 beds, will be 18,000 square feet and is expected to open in fall 2027.
The hall will be named for Margaret Chase Morrill, the first woman to graduate from the University of Maine’s civil engineering program. She is also Matt Morrill’s grandmother.
The University of Maine at Augusta ranks No. 12 among Maine's largest colleges and universities, according to the 2026 Mainebiz Book of Lists, based on fall 2025 enrollment of 1,290 students.Rapid expansion
University of Maine at Augusta opened its first residence hall in 2019, the 36-student Stevens Hall that’s part of Stevens Common, a renovated and preserved mixed-use campus on a hill facing the Kennebec River and a 10-minute drive from the school.
Two more residence halls, Erskine Hall and Cleveland Hall, were added at Stevens Commons, marking a rapid expansion of campus housing in recent years.
Stevens Hall opened in 2019 with 38 beds, followed by Erskine Hall in 2020 with 42 beds and Cleveland Hall in 2023 with 22 beds. The new building will add 60 beds, bringing total capacity to 162.
35% growth
The college has historically been a commuter college. The residence hall projects support the university’s growing campus-based experience and expand student housing capacity.
The latest project comes as UMA’s existing housing has reached capacity, with 40 students placed in temporary accommodations this academic year. The new building will add 60 beds and is expected to open in fall 2027.
The building will include a café and patio.
“This project reflects the growth we are seeing across the university,” said Jenifer Cushman, UMA’s president.
Residential enrollment at UMA continues to grow, with the number of students placed in housing increasing by 35% compared to last year. Those living in university housing are more likely to engage in campus life, build peer connections and take part in academic and support services, the university said.
Athletics connection
The housing expansion also comes as UMA athletics continues to grow, including the university’s exploratory year in NCAA Division III. Additional housing supports recruitment, student-athlete success and the development of a more connected campus environment.
“This is a big step forward for our athletics programs,” said Chris Hart, director of student life and athletics. “Being able to bring students together in a shared residential space helps us build stronger teams and a stronger campus community.”
UMA, part of the University of Maine System, has its main campus in Augusta, a second campus in Bangor and centers and sites statewide, providing distance and on-site education.
