The construction of three new dormitories on West Wheelock Street have created noise disturbances for some students who live in the River cluster dormitories.
The College is currently constructing three new dormitories on West Wheelock Street, including Russo Hall — scheduled to be completed in fall 2026 — Shonda Rhimes Hall and the Class of 1989 Hall, for which 37-39 and 41-43 West Wheelock are being cleared to construct.
The Office of Project Management and a College spokesperson directed requests for comment to the Campus Services website.
In an Feb. 19 email to West House residents of the Channing Cox apartments, French Hall, Judge Hall and Maxwell Hall, which was obtained and reviewed by The Dartmouth, the Office of Project Management wrote that construction projects, including the clearing of the 37-39 West Wheelock lots and demolition of 41-43 West Wheelock for the Shonda Rhimes and Class of 1989 Halls, are expected to last until July 2026. Construction working hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, but heavy machinery will only be operated from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. within those hours, the email wrote.
French Hall resident Alisha Chandra ’29 told The Dartmouth that she is “woken up at 8 a.m. on the dot” every weekday by the sound of “some sort of dynamite excavating machine.”
Praksitha Rajasekaran ’29, another resident of the French Hall, said that, because the heater in her room is still on, she keeps her window open, making the construction “that much louder.” She added that she “hates” the construction noise because “it starts so early in the morning.”
Judge Hall resident Lila Hayden ’29 said it is “impossible” for her to be in her dorm from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. because the construction is “so disruptive and loud.”
Ian Beierle ’29, who also lives in Judge Hall, said he is “a little annoyed by the noise” but “understand[s]” that it is necessary.
“It’s very loud, and I can also feel the vibrations within my dorm room,” Beierle said.
Across campus, Fayerweather Hall is also under construction and is scheduled to be completed in June 2026 ahead of the summer term.
Campus construction projects fall into three categories: undergraduate housing, energy transition, and renewal and renovation.
Energy transition projects are taking place in the Berry Sports Center, Crosby Street, Corey Ford Rugby House, Lewinstein Athletic Center, Thayer Drive and Thompson Arena. These construction projects have included “enhancements to energy efficiency,” the transition from steam heat to hot water heat and the installation of “modern distribution infrastructure,” which directs heat in buildings to “support” renewable energy sources.
Renewal and renovations projects include the Classroom Rapid Refresh Program — which aims to “renew” five classrooms per term by 2028 — and the Connected and Secure Campus, which integrates a video management system across campus. The installation of a copper roof on Carpenter Hall also falls under this category.
Alexia Gerogiannis ’29, a resident of Topliff Hall, which is located on the corner of Crosby Street and East Wheelock Street, said she is “glad” the College is adopting sustainable energy initiatives.
“Some people are being affected, but it’s for a good cause,” Gerogiannis said.
Isabela Pierry '29 is a reporter from New York and is majoring in comparative literature and government.
