I was just wondering what people thought the best dorm(s) were at UNC-CH for freshmen? Also, is living on a specific part of campus better than the other. Thanks!!
You should read the UNC housing website specifically about “future residents” and “first year students”. You will find there are specific dorms identified for first years and they are on south campus. The newest ones are in the Manning East/West Communities. Other than that benefit, there is not a whole lot of difference between the dorms on south campus. Of course, some are further from north campus/classes than others, which you might also consider as a factor.
I failed to mention that suite size is also a variable for consideration (ie the number of people you share a bathroom with). First years often enjoy the larger suites for the social aspects. While that is generally considered a pro, an associated con is bathroom traffic at peak times. You will need to make a personal preference call on large vs small suite size.
This is a really loaded question and really depends on what you want.
I’m going to leave out mentioning the LLCs in Morrison and Joyner–if you’re interested in those you live where they are.
Most freshmen live on south campus; however, you can choose to live in Granville Towers as well. Granville is located off of Franklin Street and is not owned by UNC but is approved housing for freshmen. I’m not going to comment that much on it since I don’t know it that well, but a lot of people that live in Granville rush. Not all, but there are quite a few, so if you want to rush, I’d definitely check it out.
South campus residence halls are basically split up into 4 and 8 person suites.
Craige, Ehringhaus, and Hinton James are all high rises with 8 person suites. They’re older buildings but are for the most part well maintained. You share a bathroom with 7 other suitemates, but the bathroom is cleaned by the housing staff (who do a wonderful job).
Horton, Hardin, Koury, and Craige North are all much newer residence halls. They all have 4 person suites, and both rooms are connected to a bathroom. I think “suite” really isn’t the right word to describe these halls–they’re basically hall style and you share a bathroom with one other room. That bathroom is NOT cleaned by the housing staff, so if you’re messy you might consider an 8 person suite.
Both have their pluses and minuses. I lived in Craige this year and had no issues with it, but my hall wasn’t very close. There’s really a misconception that the high rises are more social dorms–I have not found that to be true at all. Some of my friends in Craige North know all of their hallmates and hang out with them in common rooms all the time.
Also remember, the housing lottery may totally mess with you, so don’t have your heart set on one place too much. You’ll grow to love wherever you live.
I’d be very cautious about Granville for the next couple of years. There is a major demolition and construction project at University Square about to start this summer. Five existing buildings would be razed to make way for two five-story buildings fronting West Franklin Street and one 11-story building at the center of the property. Granville is basically in the middle of this…
Thank you both so much!