A 9-storey dormitory is being built in New Asia College at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Construction started in March this year and will be completed by spring 2002.

A committee has been formed to supervise the construction and progress, said Dr. Peter Man, secretary of New Asia College.

According to Dr. Man, the cost of the new facility is estimated to be $80 million.

Miss Nora Tong is the assistant secretary general for capital of the University Grant Committee.

She said that the maximum amount of subsidy provided to the College is 75 percent of the projected cost.

Dr. Man said that the rest of the cost has to be borne by the college.

“The college has already received a donation of $17 million from Mr. Chow Kwen-lim and Mrs. Daisy Li,” he said.

Mr. Chow is one of the members of New Asia College’s board of governors.

Mrs. Li is the mother of Mr. Arthur Li, vice-chancellor of the Chinese University.

Said Dr. Man: “The new dormitory will provide the college with 300 student residences.”

Dr. Man said that half of New Asia College students will be able to live on the campus when the new domitory is open, compared to one-third of students in the past.

According to Dr. Man, construction plans were made after the government reviewed the number of dormitory places at the Chinese Unversity.

Other than New Asia College, resources are also being allocated to Shaw College and United College to build new domitories.

It took 3 years to get the government’s approval to construct the new dormitory.

It has been approved by the University Grant Committee, the Building Department, and the Architectural Services Department.

Dr. Man said that the style of the new dormitory will be pragmatic rather than luxurious.

“The rooms will be more spacious and the facilities will be more advanced.

He said that lifts and facilities for handicapped students would be included in the new hall.

“Our focus is mainly on its cost-effectiveness,” he said.

Though the new dormitory will not be luxurious, “it is likely that all residents in the new dormitory will bear higher hostel fees,” said Dr. Man.

He said the exact amount of the new hostel fees has not been decided yet.

It will be decided when construction is completed in 2002.

As for admission to the new hostel, Dr. Man said that a fair admission system will be applied.

It will be similar to the existing system.

Both male and female New Asia students will be eligible to apply for hostel places.

Miss Eva Cheung, a Year 1 student in New Asia College who is currently living in Grace Tien Hall, welcomed its construction.

“The building of new dormitory means more students can live on campus.

“If the hostel fee of the new hall is not too high, I would definitely choose the new one. The existing rooms are too small.”