Torchbearer Hall has opened its doors to University of Tennessee at Knoxville students, and a sweet surprise is in the works for its first residents and others moving into dorms across campus this week.
Students won't have to live at Torchbearer Hall to enjoy UT Creamery's satellite location scheduled to open inside the dorm toward the end of August. The ice cream shop will have a separate entrance and will be operated by students, with ice cream produced at the original location inside the UT Culinary Institute.
The residence hall at 1600 Volunteer Boulevard is the newest dormitory on campus and follows the opening of Beacon and Poplar halls last year. The three-dorm project totaled $335 million and broke ground in March 2024 through a first-of-its-kind
public-private partnership between UT, Provident Resources Group and developer RISE to fast-track construction.
UT has been pleased with the partnership and received approval from the State Building Commission to expand its contract to build three more dorms replacing Reese, North Carrick and South Carrick halls. The university aims to have at least one of the dorms open by the fall 2028 semester, with all three ready for residents by the fall 2029 semester.
University of Tennessee prepares for thousands of students moving in
Torchbearer Hall is one of 14 housing options on or near campus. The co-ed dorm will house first-year students and is at 100% capacity this year, said University Housing Executive Director Anthony White.
"It is a hot commodity," White said during an Aug. 7 media availability. "The students are really excited about being here and being the first students in opening this hall."
More than 2,000 students moved into residence halls Aug. 9. White expects more than 7,000 students to move in during move-in week, which lasts through Aug. 16 (the day before classes begin).
UT projects a record-breaking 42,600 students to enroll for the fall semester, including fully online students. Many will live off campus in the growing number of apartments being built with college students in mind.
"Our enrollment is continuing to grow, and so that's something that we've been mindful of," White said. "We're at right about 9,500 beds total ... and that's the most beds we've ever offered. Our goal is to continue to be able to provide housing − that on-campus experience − for as many students as possible."
A third-party moving company will be on campus to help families transport students' belongings to their dorm rooms.
Torchbearer Hall amenities available to Tennessee students
Torchbearer is mostly made up of four-person suites − with some two-person rooms available − and each room features similar amenities: a desk, dresser, mini fridge, microwave, closet space, showers, sinks, toilets and twin beds.
Torchbearer Hall, named for the statue in nearby Circle Park, is in the heart of campus and steps away from Neyland Stadium.
"Every time we sing 'Rocky Top,' we yell 'home sweet home,'" White said. "Torchbearer will be home sweet home for over 1,000 students, and they get to write their legacy and build it here."
Tochbearer Hall also features these community amenities:
- Billiards room
- Community kitchen
- Laundry room powered by LG (similar to the LG Laundry Lounge in Fred Brown Jr. Hall, but without the lounge seats)
- Lounge spaces
- Multiuse room that can be used for meetings and as classroom space
- Outdoor courtyard and decorative wall depicting the state of Tennessee with a firepit base
- Post office with package compartments
- Study rooms
- Welcome desk and lobby
The student rate for both semesters totals $4,950 for a four-person suite or $5,305 for a two-person room.
Keenan Thomas is the higher education reporter for Knox News. Email: keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: As University of Tennessee students move in, there's a new dorm on campus
