By Kara Augustine

The Province has come to the University of Louisville, and it has brought a swimming pool, private bridge, theater, and a club house.
The Province has been planned and constructed for more than a year and in the fall of 2009, this new luxury student living space will be open to students. The new facility has not come without a cost, however. Stevenson Hall, built in 1959, may become a casualty residence hall.
Plans have not been finalized yet, but according to Shannon Staten, director of Housing and Residence Life, Stevenson is in need of major renovation.
“We made a decision several years ago that Stevenson would probably never be renovated as a residence hall,” Staten said. “We would use it however long we needed or could and then at some point we would probably give it back to the university. We are at that point with Stevenson.”
She explained that some uses might include office buildings or meeting areas, which would not require the same amount of renovation as a residence hall.
“It is not concrete or definite, but we are planning that we might not have Stevenson next year,” Staten said.
For students like Amelia Whitehead, the Province represents an unwelcome change.
“I really like traditional dorms,” said junior art history major Amelia Whitehead. “All of the freshmen dorms are traditional dorms, and I live in Stevenson, which is traditional. I don’t understand the bigger, better idea because I think simple is easier and affordable.”
With the issues of Stevenson arising, the completion of new campus community housing will still add more beds than will be removed. Stevenson has around 180 beds while the Province will be adding 800.
According to Staten, the Province is being constructed in two phases. The first will be adding 800 beds and also the clubhouse, swimming pool and other amenities. After the first phase is complete, the second phase will add 400-500 beds, depending on the need.
“We have [Stevenson] residents shifting, but since the Province is coming, we feel okay about that,” Staten said.
With new housing being built, Staten said she has considered options that will be best for students.
“As we get new communities built, like the Province that are university communities, then we can take offline some of the older buildings that are not in really good shape,” Staten said.
The Province is still under construction, but leasing is now available for next year’s upper-class students.
Whitehead heard about the Province through a classmate, so she and her roommate visited their Web site.
“I was pretty surprised to hear that it was this expensive, because it is per person, instead of as a group,” said Whitehead, who added that she was unable to find any price listings for the Province.
The prices range from $545 for a room in a three bedroom apartment to $875 for a single bedroom apartment. The cost is similar to that of the University Tower Apartments and Bettie Johnson Hall.
Some of the difference in the prices can be made up with the difference in mandatory meal plans. The Province will only require a $250 non-resident meal plan because it is located off-campus on Lee Street.
The difference in price, between living in the Province and living on campus, can be made up with the difference in the new mandatory meal plan for on campus living. 
Although Whitehead understands the pricing is due to the vast amount of amenities the Province has to offer, she does not believe it is a realistic amount for a college student to pay.
According to Staten, the Province’s prices fit in well with campus housing. Staten also thinks that the Province should positively add to U of L’s campus vibrancy.
“It will help create attractive safe space for students to study, to live, to hang out, to swim, to have recreation and to be with other students,” Staten said.
Lindsey Maginnis, freshman equine business major, has faced a different dilemma with the Province.
“I don’t want to live in the Province because it requires a 12 month lease. I live 10 hours away and I don’t want to commit to living here year round,” Maginnis said.  
Staten said there are several suggestions on the table for what to use Stevenson Hall as in the future, including turning it into a student services building or a disability resource center. 
“You could come to this area and find what you need without going all over the place, that’s our goal,” Staten said. “The university is still trying to figure all of that out. But, at this point, the plan is yes it is closing probably after this school year.”
The conflict still remains for students such as Whitehead.
“I don’t know how this is a better choice for students at U of L. I won’t be able to pick Stevenson as a dorm next year to live in because they are converting it to an office,” Whitehead said.
“So, I am not sure how building the Province and yet shutting down a dormitory is making more space for students to live on campus.”