After over a year of construction, Oneida Hall, a residential dormitory in College-in-the-Woods, reopened with new improvements.

“Oneida Hall’s renovation was completed over the last academic year and we were thrilled to welcome students back to the building this August,” said Casey Wall, the director of residential life and housing, in a statement to Pipe Dream.

They explained that the dormitory switched from community-style bathrooms to single-use bathrooms, received updated furniture and added a new kitchen space and classroom. Building renovations began last summer after the hall was shut down for demolition work, asbestos abatement and to replace plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems. The hall remained closed for the remainder of the year to finalize the improvement projects.

As before the renovations, Oneida Hall is a first-year-only building, the only of its kind in College-in-the-Woods.

Originally built in 1973, Oneida Hall is one of the oldest residential buildings on campus. Other College-in-the-Woods dorms — Cayuga, Seneca and Onondaga, also built in the 1970s — underwent similar restorative construction projects before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Old Rafuse Hall, built in 1958, was refurbished a few years ago and reopened in January 2024.

“Moving into a dorm that I knew was mine first really helped me feel like I was able to build my own home,” Elaine Braunshweiger, a senior double-majoring in English and comparative literature, said to Pipe Dream.

Braunshweiger lived in the renovated Old Rafuse Hall during her first semester at the University and said that she was comforted by being part of the first set of student tenants because of the level of hygiene in the dorms and the ability to have a fresh start in the new space.

The 2024 improvements included mechanical and plumbing system replacement, window replacements, fresh paint and corridor wall construction.

Avi Kaul, a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience and community assistant in Old Rafuse, said he has noticed a stereotype of the Old Dickinson dormitories being a less nice living environment.

“People hate on Old Dickinson, and the hate is totally unjustified,” said Kaul. “I’d wager we’re better than New Dickinson. New Dickinson is very grand, very big, but I think we have a much smaller, much more tighter community here, which I’d wager is a much more favorable experience.”

He explained that the corridor-style layouts of the dorms promote floor socializing and that many of the friends he made last year were those he shared a hallway with.

Kaul said to Pipe Dream that he believes it is important for universities to invest in improving dormitories to cultivate a positive university experience.

“If you want to promote campus culture, it’s always nice to invest in living facilities, and sort of make sure that students enjoy being on campus,” Kaul said.