Student Housing is placing extra emphasis on making the overall UNM residential community more appealing to residents.

“Student Housing is changing to exceed students’ expectations,” said Walt Miller, Associate Vice President for Student Life. The department began a rapid series of new initiatives this summer, designed to enhance housing programs, expand information technologies, improve building facilities and to increase customer service communication with students.

Although 85 percent of residents surveyed in 2007 stated that they were likely to recommend the dorms to other students, improvements were necessary. The department invested $2.5 million in improvement projects ranging in size and complexity.

About $1.2 million was spent to replace and repair outdated water lines and to install nearly 240 heating and air‐conditioning units and ventilation systems in the Student Residence Center (SRC) apartments. In addition, $500,000 was allocated to re‐roof the 14 building SRC apartment complex. “While both of these maintenance expenses were necessary, the simple fact remains that residents do not often visually see the monies the department is spending on our housing facilities,” Miller stated.

Student Housing staff want residents to know that several visible changes were also completed. Based on results from a fall 2007 Residence Life survey, some 38 percent of Coronado Hall residents were dissatisfied or neutral with their living experience, so Student Housing spent an estimated $800,000 on interiors.

“We want students to know that we are listening to their concerns and are incorporating their ideas into our solutions,” Miller explained.

The department began last spring by placing trial beds and desks in several students’ rooms for testing and approval. Based on positive feedback from those students, high quality modular bedroom furniture was purchased by the department for use in Coronado. Garret Lee, Area Coordinator for Coronado Hall, commented that students are enjoying the new furniture because it is well engineered and fulfills sustainable, green standards. Lee added, “One interesting fact about the furniture is that the new bed springs are made from old recycled engine parts.”

A variety of visible and other improvements are currently slated for Student Housing this fall including: expanding wireless capability in Coronado, Redondo and Hokona Halls - $209,000; improving student safety by installing an exterior door card access system in Redondo Village Apartments - $200,000; finalizing installation of new common area kitchenettes in Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Hokona, Alvarado and Coronado Halls - $40,000; providing new shower basins in several suite‐style rooms in Laguna/DeVargas Halls and installing privacy shower stall doors in Hokona Hall restrooms - $42,000. In total, an estimated $500,000 is planned to be spent this fall to improve on‐campus living for UNM Student Housing residents.

The department will also be improving the general look and feel of each of the Residence Halls. An estimated $300,000 will be allocated for couches and chairs, along with new giant‐screen TV’s in several common use areas. These new furnishings along with new UNM Lobo signs, and various team spirit projects, are being completed so that students who live on campus will feel more included.

“Student Housing is listening to our students,” Miller reiterated. “We want students who live in our residential community to experience a new kind of excitement, the kind that makes them want to participate and get involved. “We want our residence hall programs and facilities to support our residents’ educational growth, inspire them to achieve higher grades and ultimately result in student success.”

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