Students discuss pros and cons of new dormitory

As Norwich's newest civilian dormitory, South Hall provides many amenities for its residents, according to the South Hall Facilities Use Policy.

Students can make use of the fitness center, movie and study lounges, pool and foosball tables, and more. Because South Hall is a brand new building, students say they are getting used to living in a new space.

"It's a hike from South Hall to most places on campus," said Hallie Grannon, a 19-year-old sophomore athletic training and health sciences major from Franklin, Vt.

"It's set a bit off the main campus, and I have to leave a few minutes earlier for class," said Danielle DelDotto, a 19-year-old sophomore athletic training major from North Andover, Mass. "It's great to be in a brand new building with nice lounges, rooms and heating but being on the Upper Parade Ground was easier because it's basically at the heart of campus."

The one place South Hall residents do not have to walk to is a place to work out.

"I personally think that the exercise room is a great help and a great way to promote fitness and it's easier to go there instead of walking all the way across campus to Plumley," said Melissa Rundlett, a 20-year-old sophomore physical education major from Saco, Maine.

The fitness center contains treadmills, elliptical machines and exercise bikes, but no weights. It is open from 6 to 10 during the week and 10 to 5 on weekends.

"I think the fitness room is a good addition to the hall. Many people use it and seem to like it," Grennon said.

Many students use the lounges and study lounges to do homework or watch television.

DelDotto said that the lounges provide a "good time to hang out with friends and just watch some TV or movies."

Grennon said she enjoys the lounges a lot, but "the only downside is the timer on the lights." According to students, it is hard to do work in the open lounges after midnight, because the lights will turn off and there is no switch.

"Hanging in the lounges is easier because it gives everyone a chance to hang out and be comfortable instead of cramming into a [dorm] room," DelDotto said. "They could use more couches or chairs in the lounges for sitting space. As they get filled, people have to sit on the floor or on the heaters near the window."

The lounge is the only place where students are excused for being loud until quiet hours or courtesy hours, according to Olivero.

The study lounges on each floor are an "ideal work area," according to Stephen LaMarca, a 20-year-old junior physics major from McLean, Va. "But it could use some Ethernet jacks for my dinosaur of a laptop."

"They are a good resource to have, the downside is there is not sound proofing," said Joan Olivero, a 20-year-old junior architecture major from Providence, R.I.

"I'm not a big fan of the study lounges," Rundlett said. "You can hear everything that is going on."

"It is very distracting in there because you can see and hear everyone walking by," said Mollie Fitzpatrick, a 19-year-old sophomore nursing major from Falmouth, Maine. "The study lounges are good if you want to meet with a study group."

Many students study in the library or their rooms if they find the study lounges too distracting.

Most students are pleased with the rooms.

"Mine is the same size as the one I had in Patterson," DelDotto said. "The rooms in South are definitely nicer."

"The rooms are smaller than Crawford's," Olivero said. "But they feel more comfortable. They are a good size for doubles."

"The rooms are nice but they lack the sound proofing I was told they would have," LaMarca said. "I feel really sorry for my neighbors having to put up with my obnoxiousness."

According to students, facility workers work hard to keep South Hall clean and looking new. "South Hall is always clean," Grennon said.

According to some students, the workers can be loud early in the morning, but "the workers do a really nice job and we're lucky," DelDotto said.

There are two types of bathrooms in South Hall. There is a smaller bathroom with two stalls, two showers and one sink, and a bigger version with two sinks.

"Bathrooms are nice and clean," Rundlett said. "But, water leaks out of the shower, which is annoying."

"[They are] cleaner than the other dorms I think," DelDotto said. "I like the fact that there are multiple bathrooms on each floor in South, so not a surplus of people are sharing one bathroom."

"[The bathrooms] are very nice, I only wish they had urinals," LaMarca said.

South Hall is a "24/7 swipe card only access by residents of South Hall," according to the Use Policy. The outside doors of the building in the North and West wings do not allow access into the building after 11 p.m.

Students who live in South Hall are the only ones who can use their Norwich student ID cards to swipe in.

Some students find the card swipe to be a nuisance while others feel it helps with security.

"It's a good thing, but at the same time can be annoying if you forget your card in your room," Olivero said. "But it's no biggie."

"It's annoying to get the card out, but it's safer than just having it open to anyone," Fitzpatrick said.

"The card is a good idea, it's safer," DelDotto said. "It feels more exclusive that only South Hall residents can key in."

The exclusive access could pose a threat if emergency services needed entrance into the building, according to students. Giving access to certain Norwich University Emergency Medical Service members would solve this problem.

According to students, South Hall is a great place to live and although it is far from most places on campus, it is worth the walk.