Health

Boston hotels to transform into pop-up college campus extensions

BOSTON — A list of hotels across Boston could be transforming into pop-up college campus extensions in just weeks.

Several local colleges and universities are vying for hundreds of spots at local hotels with their official move-in days fast approaching.

Northeastern University is hoping to rent as many as 875 beds at the Westin Copley Place, which could take up 19 floors.

The filing with the Boston Planning and Development Agency explained that Northeastern is also looking at renting several ballrooms and conference rooms to use for classrooms, offices and a dining area.

Additionally, Northeastern is potentially planning to rent the entire Midtown Hotel.

Other proposals include Suffolk University’s intentions of renting out rooms at the Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall as well as rooms at the Boxer Hotel and the DoubleTree Hilton on Washington.

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The New England Conservatory wants to rent 98 single-occupancy rooms at the Revolution Hotel and also potentially spaces to up practice areas for students.

“I think colleges right now are in a bit of a scramble,” said Casey Near, Executive Director of Counseling at Collegewise. “I’m wary of the risk that college students living in hotels are going to present to everyone working in hotels.”

Near told Boston 25 News that she has a number of reservations about schools’ last-minute shuffle to “de-densify” campuses ahead of the Fall 2020 semester.

“It’s a huge experiment and these colleges are very aware of it. I think all of us educators are just mindful of what if the experiment fails and who’s at risk,” questioned Near.

The schools that have filed with the city to take over hotel space need the approval of both the Boston Planning and Development Agency and ISD.

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