New housing director appointed

UW–Madison has hired a new director to oversee one of the major elements of campus life: housing.

Paul Evans, UW–Madison’s assistant director of housing for physical facilities, has been appointed director of University Housing. He replaces Norm Sunstad, who left the university in January to become vice president of finance and administration at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo.

“We are fortunate to have someone with the experience and vision of Paul on staff who can step in and take over this important position,” said John Torphy, vice chancellor for administration.

Evans will oversee a $41 million budget, a building maintenance budget of $7 million, 6,700 student residents, 4,000 people living in Eagle Heights Apartments and University Houses, and 375 full-time employees. His annual salary will be $85,000.

“This is an exciting time on campus. There’s a lot of interest in looking at what contributes to the student experience and how to make that experience better,” Evans said. “We have a first-class housing program already. We’ll be building on current strengths.”

Evans has more than 21 years experience of housing experience, most of it with UW–Madison. He has served in his current position since 1992, where he has coordinated all physical operations for the residence halls and all operations in the University Apartments. He has also worked in university housing as assistant director of housing for student affairs, assistant to the director, area coordinator and student affairs coordinator. He was the recipient of the 1996 Norman Bassett Award for Outstanding Achievement in Student Services, presented by the UW–Madison Student Personnel Association.

Before coming to UW–Madison, Evans was head resident for one year in the residence halls at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned a master’s in counseling. He also earned a bachelor’s in psychology from the UW-Eau Claire.

During his tenure at UW–Madison, Evans has overseen several programs, including the Academic Resources and Computers in Housing support service; the Center for Cultural Enrichment; the Multicultural Resident Consultant program; several renovation projects in the residence halls and Eagle Heights apartments; the Eagle’s Wing Child Care Center; and ResNet, the Internet, video and voice network offered in resident rooms.

To meet the needs of students in the future, Evans said University Housing must continue to develop new learning and study programs and enhance existing learning centers.

“Our focus will continue to be on the freshman experience. It’s a critical transition point,” Evans added.

University Housing also will build on its strong relationships with other campus departments and faculty and staff, improve its ability to attract and retain minority students, and continue to renew and maintain its existing facilities, he said.

“Together with these other units, we’ll be trying to provide the best possible experience for students on campus,” Evans said. “I want all of us to feel we would bring our children to the university and want them to live with us.”