After purchasing the Elon School property June 1, Elon University is currently deciding how it will be used.

“We are refining what we’d like to do with the property,” said Provost Steven House. “As of now, it looks like it will become an academic space, but decisions are still being made. Elon is an ever-growing institution, so you have to always be ready for change.”

The property may serve as a space to expand existing programs, according to Brad Moore, director of planning, design and construction management at Elon.

“It will also allow separate but similar programs to be located near each other to benefit from shared space and exchange of ideas,” he said.

Both the Human Services and Psychology departments have requested space for expansion, and the Elon School property is tentatively being considered as an enhanced research space for these departments, according to House.

He said it may also be converted into a 32-bed residence hall as an expansion of the health services department.

The music technologies department has also requested expanded space, and the gym on the property could potentially be used for that purpose, House said.

The senior staff of Elon is still figuring out what can be done with the property, and feasibility studies are still being performed to determine what will work best.

“We are currently studying various groups moving into the existing buildings to see how their program fits,” Moore said. “This additional square footage will allow for existing programs and departments to expand their offerings.”

But the university will likely make a decision in the coming months.

“The hope is for us to decide what will be done with the property by the end of fall term or beginning of January and possibly begin construction next summer,” House said.

The Elon School purchase was part of Elon’s academic expansion, according to House. The expansion includes the construction of the Global Neighborhood and the completion of the Multi-faith Center in the academic pavilion.

“There are no short term plans for the buildings,” said Moore. “Once the decision for the use is finalized, the buildings will be prepared for its permanent use.”