Ground is Broken for Two New Residence HallsBy Steve Ruic
Old Alumnae Hall, renamed Petersen Hall in 2003 to honor Helen Foose Petersen ’38, added space for approximately 160 students when it opened in September, 1968. But in 2008, the College broke ground for two new facilities, making room for 288 new resident students by the end of 2009. “As of right now, these structures are being referred to as North Hall and South Hall, relative to their positions in the residence hall quad,” said John Phillips, vice president of finance. “Obviously, we are open to the idea of naming opportunities for these two buildings.” In July, the College will break ground on South Hall. “South Hall will be situated to the east of Petersen Hall and south of Providence Hall,” said Phillips.
According to Phillips, the design of the buildings will match that of the rest of the campus. “These buildings will have the same Gothic style. Although not as ornate as the Administration Building, they will have similar brick colors and the same sandstone trim around the windows as the other buildings.”
The landscape of the College is changing; but, as in 1968, it is changing for the right reasons. According to Phillips, “These new residence halls are symbolic of our commitment to growth and the future of the Notre Dame.”
Steve Ruic is the writer and editor for Notre Dame College.
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It has been over 40 years since Notre Dame College built a residence hall. 
Work on the North Hall began in late March. The building, which will replace an above ground tunnel that connects Providence and Harks Halls, will be replaced by a four-floor residence hall for 84 students. It will open in January, 2009. Utility lines were installed during the end of the spring semester with major construction slated to begin after May’s graduation ceremonies.
The L-shaped structure will complete a residence quad, similar to the one envisioned in the 1926 design created by Thomas D. McLaughlin, the original campus architect. This 204 bed facility will be completed by the fall semester in 2009. 
To accommodate the new students, the College is also adding eight new classrooms to the Administration Building over the summer and will increase the number of on-campus parking spaces. Also under long-term consideration is an addition to the Clara Fritzsche Library. “The proposed plans suggest an addition, effectively doubling the current size of the library,” said Phillips. 
