CSU celebrates opening of new dorm and health clinic

Charleston Southern University held two ribbon cutting ceremonies on Monday, August 17 in celebration of the newest residence hall and a new student health clinic on campus.

Opening of Magnolia Hall

The day began with nearly 150 attendees for a ceremony outside of Magnolia Hall, the 52,000-square-foot, three-story suite-style dorm housing 216 students.

“Today is a day of celebration for Charleston Southern University,” President B. Keith Faulkner said, addressing the crowd of students, alumni, faculty, staff, board members, and community partners. “Every room, every gathering space, and every detail of Magnolia Hall was designed with our students in mind—and most importantly, by listening to what our students told us they wanted from their residential experience.”

Housing demand has increased year over year at CSU, with the university using the former on-campus Wingate Hotel for overflow housing the last four years. This year, the university has taken on the hotel as a fully functioning residence hall—now named Palmetto Hall—adding two major residential location options for incoming and current CSU students.

“As our university continues to grow, we remain committed to providing an exceptional student experience rooted in academic excellence and a Christian environment,” said Faulkner. “Facilities like Magnolia Hall help us recruit outstanding students, strengthen our campus community, and create an environment where young men and women can flourish academically, spiritually, and personally.”

Liya Besintu, a senior computer science major, addressed the crowd with a message of thanks. “As students, we are incredibly grateful. This is so much more than just a new building. It is a new space for students to live, connect, build friendships, and create memories that we will carry with us long after we graduate.”

In addition to spacious suite-style rooms for Charleston Southern residential students, Magnolia offers an expansive laundry facility, a grab-and-go retail location called The Galley at Magnolia, a fitness center, community rooms, large community kitchen, and ample study spaces. Central to the Mead and Magnolia Halls is a shared courtyard with a reflecting pool, swings, picnic tables, and fire pits for students to enjoy between and after classes.

As a student who has served CSU in various capacities, Besintu said this building is a momentous step toward the larger master plan for campus. “This is only the beginning; from the new health clinic to the bell tower, to the renovations of several things on campus, we are blessed to witness that vision become a reality and even contribute to it in our own way.”

A new health clinic on campus

Monday was an exciting day for Charleston Southern as the ribbon cutting celebrations continued across campus. In the afternoon, a more intimate ceremony with CSU employees, board members, Trident Construction, and Roper St. Francis staff and clinicians commenced to open the brand-new health clinic for students.

The clinic is 2,000 square feet, with a waiting room and lobby, four exam rooms, a nursing station, restrooms, and office space. Located in the Student Center directly beside Lightsey Chapel, the clinic will open to students Tuesday, August 25 with hours scheduled Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Students will have unlimited visits covered by their student health fee.

Dr. Robert Oliverio, vice president and chief medical officer of physician channel & population health at Roper St. Francis Healthcare, said there are certain populations like college students who have barriers to care—whether that’s having to leave campus or not knowing where to go. “That is the point of being here, to bring care to the patients and the students so that they feel comfortable, and they feel well cared for,” he said. “I want them to feel empowered and confident that they are going to get the best healthcare in the Lowcountry right on campus as opposed to having to navigate a really complex healthcare system.”

Skilled providers from Roper St. Francis Healthcare will treat common illnesses and minor injuries at the CSU location. To learn more or for students to schedule an appointment, visit charlestonsouthern.edu/health-clinic.

CSU will welcome residential students back to campus during its move-in days on Thursday, August 20 and Saturday, August 22.