In an effort to improve facilities and enrollment at its Hartford campus, the University of Connecticut is increasing exposure in Connecticut’s capitol city. Hartford students will be able to study more comprehensive and advanced coursework in financial technology, sports medicine and allied health research.
UConn will renovate over 50,000 square feet inside Downtown Hartford’s XL Center to host new laboratories, classroom spaces and student amenities. Part of the space was formerly occupied by the University of Saint Joseph for use in their nursing and pharmacy programs, but they moved to an auxiliary campus in West Hartford. UConn has been a long-time partner of the XL Center for athletic stadium use since the 80s when it was still named the Hartford Civic Center.
UConn’s nearby Downtown Hartford building opened in 2017 and offers programs in business data analytics, public policy, human development, and connections to academics offered at other UConn campuses, alongside the UConn School of Social Work. The new XL Center facility is designed to be a companion facility, with $5 million in state funding allocated for the renovation.
A key driver behind the expansion is UConn’s commitment to providing opportunities outside of the main campus in Storrs-Mansfield. Part of the plan includes providing students with housing options in close proximity to their classes and campus resources in Hartford. University officials are confident that there is a substantial demand for housing, and they believe that this initiative will enhance the student experience and generate a positive economic impact on the city of Hartford.
“Dormitory space would also satisfy students’ long-running desires for a more traditional college experience in the city,” said Mark Overmyer-Velazquez, Dean of UConn Hartford, in a Hartford Business Journal interview.
“This will be a very central location where we can do clinical work, where we can do research work,”
Dr. Pamir Alpay, vice president for research and innovation
A new residence hall would serve students who utilize the Hartford complex as their “home campus” in addition to the UConn John Dempsey Hospital center in nearby Farmington. Housing may be developed from converted office or apartment space. UConn already offers suite-style housing through a similar model at the Stamford regional campus, which operates through an agreement with private living complexes.
UConn is also actively considering the introduction of new academic programs, particularly those aligned with the burgeoning financial technology (fintech) sector that is rapidly gaining traction in Hartford. According to Advance Connecticut, Hartford is a “gateway” for financial and insurance technology companies in the US, with over 40 startups and established divisions focusing on the growing field.
The announcement also highlighted a new agricultural innovation and research center and psychology clinic, which will provide counseling and therapy services in collaboration with UConn Health students and faculty.
“This will be a very central location where we can do clinical work, where we can do research work,” added Dr. Pamir Alpay, vice president for research and innovation.
Future initiatives may include the addition of another UConn Co-Op bookstore location in Hartford and partnerships with local restaurants as part of the “Husky Bucks” program to increase foot traffic from students and highlight a neighborhood-inspired city campus concept. The new Hartford complex is expected to open for UConn use in 2025.
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