Estrella Hall
Tuesday, 04 02 2024
Conversations about potential names for the new residence hall began in the Fall semester of 2023. Suggestions were solicited from students, faculty, and staff. These suggestions were vetted and compiled into a list that included the name and the rationale behind the name. Eight contenders arose after initial impressions and suggestions were received through an online survey. A crucial part of the decision-making process for the new residence hall was the input of the students who would live within its walls. The second filtering process involved surveying students, faculty, and staff on campus and noting their opinions on the names suggested.
Here, the campus community was able to place a token in the jar with the name they favored most. Each jar was labeled with a potential name along with a short description of its association with the University. The official name of Phase II of housing is Estrella (Eh-stray-uh) Hall. Estrella is the Spanish term for “star.”
Its relevance to Esperanza Hall is connected to the Torre de Esperanza, adorned with a star. A star is a beacon of hope. It is a shining light that guides the way. It symbolizes positivity, happiness, and renewal. A&M-San Antonio hopes to help guide our students to new beginnings and be a beacon of hope on the South Side and beyond.
The emergence of a new residence hall and its tentative completion during the University’s 15th year of independent operation symbolizes the exponential growth of our community. Estrella Hall also represents and provides opportunity. According to Dr. Reba Sims, Director of Student Housing, the addition of Estrella Hall makes our university more accessible to students outside the San Antonio area as well as our returning students. It will assist with student retention, provide easier access to finish college and graduate without worrying about housing, and demonstrate the need for continued growth in housing on campus. It is statistically proven that students living in housing tend to be better connected, develop a sense of belonging, and have higher GPAs. When students are residential, everything the university offers is at their fingertips, and a vehicle is not necessary to succeed.
Finally, Estrella Hall represents the future. As one of the university’s footprint expands, a variety of housing will need to come along with it to serve our growing student demographic best.
Estrella Hall will house approximately 352 students and has floor plans identical to Esperanza Hall. It will include a canteen where students can grab hot and cold food items, lounge/study spaces on each floor, a staircase in the first-floor lobby, and beautiful views on floors 2, 3, and 4.