Extensive Crawford Hall renovation creates more student rooms
Crawford Hall underwent extensive renovations this
summer in order to meet the increasing need for more student housing
on the Norwich campus. The innovative construction included raising
the roof and adding a third floor. |
By Steven Chambers
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer
Because Norwich was expecting a large incoming class this fall, Crawford
Hall underwent major renovations over the summer with a very tight work
schedule in order to be completed by the time students arrived, according
to the chief administrative officer.
According to David Magida, Norwich University Chief Administrative Officer,
work had to be started as soon as after last spring's graduation had concluded.
The work schedule had to be completed by the time the resident advisors
arrived on Aug. 15.
"It had to be (completed) there was no choice," Magida said.
"We have to provide housing for students."
The time frame was such a serious issue that workers were working double
shifts sometimes.
"It was a very tight ambitious time frame," Magida said.
There was also additional work that had to be done on Milano Ballroom
and Roberts Hall. Because this part of the renovation didn't need to be
completed for student housing needs, it was left to last and is still
ongoing.
Magida estimated the cost of the project to be about $2.6 million.
Harold Mayhew, the university's head architect who, along with others
including some engineering professionals, created the blueprints for and
conceived the project, mapped out the idea of raising the roof Crawford
roof to make for more dorm rooms.
"In terms of the challenges, there were some very creative solutions
that our engineers came up with allowing us to raise the roof and put
another level on," Magida said.
For a job as big as Crawford's, the university hired D.E.W. Construction
Company general contractors from Burlington, Vt. Other local contractors
from neighboring communities were hired for work on the project as well.
"The concern was not the weight of the roof," Magida explained,
adding that the contractors wanted "to make sure it goes up nice
and slowly, stays level, and does not blow away."
To insure the proper installation, hurricane cables were used to tie
down the roof so it would not blow away while construction was ongoing.
The rooms and wall paneling were built while the roof was still being
raised. They were constructed outside and next to the building and while
the roof was being raised the wall panels were put into place as the roof
was in the air.
After all of the walls were in place construction crews lowered the
roof into place.
"You expect that there will be some things that are unforeseen,
but you have to deal with them," Magida said. "Dealing with
them inside a tight schedule is really difficult."
Magida is pleased that the dorm portion of the project is complete and
he commends the admissions staff who were patient throughout the entire
project. Admissions is housed in the adjacent building, Roberts Hall,
which is currently being renovated as well.
"The admissions staff down in Roberts Hall have been tremendous
and extremely patient with us," Magida said.
Students voice opinions about Crawford Hall changes
By Steven Chambers
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer
The new renovations to Crawford Hall have brought with them a mixed
reaction from the students who are assigned to live there.
"I think it was a good idea to make Crawford into an all-freshman
dorm; they don't need cars, and it gives them a chance to meet people
in their own class," said Kate Drummey 20, a junior communications
major from Boston, Mass.
On the other hand, Alycia Pushard, a sophomore from Vassalboro, Maine,
enjoyed the luxuries of the old Crawford, as did many others who had the
privilege of staying in the former hotel-style dormitory.
Prior to the changes, two students shared a room, and each room had a
private bathroom.
"I lived there last year," Pushard said. "It was nice
having a carpeted area, having two people to a room, and having your own
bathroom and showers."
"We did need more space, but I think they should
have built another dorm and left that one alone,"
-Pushard-
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However, Pushard did agree with Drummey that the campus was getting crowded
and that more space was needed for the incoming freshman class.
"We did need more space, but I think they should have built another
dorm and left that one alone," Pushard said.
In contrast to the other upper classmen, who chose to remain on the
Upper Parade ground (UP), there were those who decided that Crawford still
had some benefits that suited them.
"Crawford was really nice last year, being nice and quiet and having
your own bathrooms," said Beth Forney, 19, a physical education major
from Chester, Vt.
Forney was looking forward to living in Crawford her junior year. But
she was assigned to a room on the UP.
Although she is satisfied being back on the UP because of its close proximity
to other campus buildings, she still would prefer the personal bathrooms
in the former Crawford Hall instead of having to share bathrooms again
in the more traditional dorm.
But for the freshman who are housed in Crawford this fall, they love
their new home and like the idea that they are paired up with people who
are in the same situation that they are.
Kelly Keating, 18, a freshman from Topsham, Vt., said: "I personally
like it down here because we are sort of forced to meet other underclassmen,
which is good."
The rooms to most are satisfactory in size; it is just the coupling of
three to a room can get a little crowded. Agreeing with Keating, who is
her roommate, Nicole Fusca, a political science major from Windsor, Vt.,
said: "This works really well, and everybody is not calm, because
it's their first time away from home."
Fusca said the only temporary drawback is the construction going on
outside of her window, which can be a bit distracting at times, especially
in the early mornings and around study times.
"It's a bit of a distraction when its around 6 a.m. and you can
hear the construction workers singing early that morning," Fusca
said.
 
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