UNH Housing is providing homes to 361 more undergraduate students on campus in both old and new dormitories this year.
Fairchild Hall, located across from Ballard's on Main Street, is now home to 126 students, after being closed in May 2007 for a complete renovation.
"We completely gutted it," Assistant Director of Housing Facilities and Operations, Michel Williams said. "Basically everything was taken out except the steel structure."
Williams said that Fairchild was first built in 1915, and this renovation was the first major renovation since then. The exterior of the hall retains its original look, brick and white accent, but has been improved in several ways.
The building is now handicapped accessible with two ramps in the front entrance and an elevator.
Matthew Petersons, the hall director, offered a tour around the building.
He said that the interior had been completely revamped with wood accents, new carpets, and dome light fixtures that run energy efficient CFL lights. The design of the building allows it to be more "green," Petersons said.
"The amount of natural light is amazing…there are no incandescent lights, and the lounges have motion sensors that turn on when someone walks in and off if there is no movement for about ten minutes."
"When I walk into my room I feel like I am on the Enterprise," he said, referring to the show that is set in the future, Star Trek.
"The air in the hallways is always moving. Fresh air is recycled from outside," he said.
The building also has an Energy Recovery Unit (ERU). Petersons explained that the bathroom vents siphon air from the hallways through the roof where fresh air is pumped in. The hall is also air conditioned with individual controls in each room.
Kary McCafferty and Melissa Snow share a room on the third floor. Though the lights in their room were off, the amount of natural light let in allowed them to continue their routines.
Kary, a freshman theatre major, said she really liked Fairchild. "It's not too overwhelming. My favorite part is that I like how it feels clean, like a hotel, but it is still homey."
Melissa, a Psychology major shared the same excitement. "Everything is new, the desk, the bed. It is really different from most of the other dorms."
Petersons continued the tour through the rear of the building.
"The back porch has a roof that will protect the snow and ice from falling," Petersons said, "Before, you could not use the rear entrance in the winter."
"It's nice that UNH Housing puts such an emphasis and investment in the livability of housing," Petersons added.
"I just hope that everyone respects the new building," he said. "I think they will."
The remaining 235 students will find their homes at the end of the promenade in the Southeast Residential Community [SERC] this year, in Building C.
Characterized by its unique clock tower, arching doorway, and 2008 granite plaque on the corner, Building C offers living arrangements for 235 students in a mix of 4-6 person suites, as well as doubles and triples.
Russell Dorand, a freshman psychology major, showed off his room.
"My suite consists of two rooms that are connected with a bathroom," Dorand said. He and his roommates moved their beds in one room, and the other was more space for a living room.
Dorand also said that he planned to live there next year as well. "The hall is great. It is nice and big, and everyone is really nice. It's really sweet to have your own bathroom."
Hannah Weidner, a math education major, lives in a double without her own bathroom. "I like it. It's big, and smells nice and clean. I like how we can control our own AC and heat."
Weidner said that although the location can be far from some things, her classes are close. "Philbrook [dining hall] is nearby also," she added.
The building is themed "Living and Learning Center" and has two classrooms and an exercise room on the first floor.
The SERC buildings are located across from Forest Park in Area 3 on campus. They currently provide housing to a total of 727 undergraduate students.
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