“Maintaining Safe, Supportive, and Welcoming Residence Halls"
Daniel Moran, Associate Chief Administrative Officer, Central Connecticut State University

As part of Central Connecticut State University’s plan of continuous campus improvement, the Facilities Management department recently completed comprehensive renovations of two residence facilities in the north part of our New Britain campus, Thomas Gallaudet and Robert Sheridan halls. These renovations were the University’s response to the growing number and requirements of students who want to live on campus. CCSU is committed to providing beautiful, functional, secure and modern facilities to meet these demands while enhancing the campus and surrounding community.

Gallaudet Hall, built in 1969, is a seven-story, 56,000 square foot building housing 280 students in a double-room occupancy format. Its renovation was completed the fall of 2003. Sheridan Hall, located directly across the courtyard from Gallaudet, is its virtual twin. Students returned to Sheridan in the fall of 2005. Both buildings underwent complete makeovers, giving students the very latest in technical innovations and living accommodations.

Replacement of the roofs on both residence halls was a major factor in bringing them into state and national building code compliance. The roofs’ warranties had expired, they had outlived their effective usefulness, and their outdated designs had created ongoing water and repair problems. The new roofs are pitched to shed water and snow, and they are covered with materials that will last for 50 years. Their design is more than just functional. The new roofs are aesthetically pleasing and supportive of the predominant architectural style of the campus.

Unfortunately, the buildings’ problems did not end with the roofs. The old windows were single-glazed, non-insulated and caulked with a product that had to be removed. The ventilation systems did not meet new health code requirements and were inefficient and costly to maintain. The fire rating of corridor walls and doorframes needed to be upgraded to meet current building codes. The buildings were not fully handicap accessible. Rooms were unable to meet the power and connectivity demands of today’s essential electronics. The outdated closet and door systems did not meet students’ needs.

Gallaudet and Sheridan received new heating/air conditioning/ventilating systems. The new centralized systems connect directly to the new campus Energy Center and provide comfortable and healthy living environments. Upgraded electrical, cable and computer distribution systems were installed throughout the buildings. Gallaudet and Sheridan are now fully accessible and meet all code requirements. New fire alarm systems, visual and audible, were added to create safe living conditions. Old room storage was replaced with new built-in lockable closets. Lastly, all doors, both exterior and interior, now have automated card-reader access for the convenience and security of our student residents.

These projects were the first two phases of our program to renovate all of the residence halls. They are part of our systematic approach to completing infrastructure improvements, to code compliance and to correcting deficiencies that reduced building efficiencies, simultaneously. Robert Vance Hall, located in the same complex, underwent minor renovations, which will soon be completed. Facilities Management’s overall goal is to continuously improve the learning environment for our students.
 

 
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