Residence halls in Central Connecticut State University have reached capacity, prompting the reopening of Clarence Carroll Hall. 

The class of 2029 is the largest freshman class in recent history and is contributing a substantial amount to the 2,558 students that live in residence halls. 

Marvin G. Wilson, the Director of Residence Life, said that the reopening of Carroll Hall is part of a strategy for the student demand of on-campus housing. 

“Given the overwhelming demand, all three floors of Carroll Hall were fully opened for Fall 2025,” he said. “Providing a vibrant and modern residential experience for more students.”  

Carroll Hall was open during the Fall 2024 semester with only the third floor being open, which allowed Wilson and others the time to discuss housing needs. 

Carroll Hall was closed during the Spring 2024 semester, but Facilities and Management used that semester to work on reopening it.  

“With the reopening of Carroll Hall and higher overall occupancy, staffing levels have been adjusted to provide consistent custodial coverage and maintenance support,” he said. “Our custodial staff are deeply valued members of our community, and their presence not only keeps our halls clean and safe but also contributes to the welcoming atmosphere students experience every day.” 

Wilson explained that the Office of Residence Life reintroduced the Senior Resident Assistant position and expanded Living Learning Communities to help create more connections between Resident Assistants and residents. 

Wilson said that the higher occupancy will help build stronger communities between students. 

“Research consistently shows that students who live on campus are more likely to persist and graduate, and this is an exciting time for Central as we create pathways for stronger retention and student success,” he said. 

While it does help the high student demand to reopen Carroll, a student living in Carroll shares his experience. 

Cordell Shepard, a sophomore living in Carroll Hall, said he applied for housing late and was placed in Carroll Hall. He previously lived in Mid Campus and Beecher, but because of a gap semester, he was waitlisted.   

“I remember hearing that they had opened it up, it was really surprising, and I was like dang, that must have happened this past year,” he said. 

Shepard said he felt more connection among his peers at Beecher compared to Carrol Hall which seems to lack a community. 

“I feel as though despite having a similar setup to Beecher where you do have areas to get together and kind of come together… it’s more like mid-campus in which everyone feels very individualistic and very kept to themselves and I just don’t feel like that community is there,” he said. 

Shepard thinks the school is being overzealous with the students. 

“I think that increase in numbers has affected us through space, both for dorms and commuters,” he theorized. “I think it’s affected our class lives, and our dining halls, and out of class lives because there’s not enough space for everyone.” 

Shepard said he feels the infrastructure in Carroll feels off as he describes his room. 

“In my room, there’s like two pipes covered by duct tape and stuff,” he said. “I’m like 6 ‘3 and have a very large wingspan and it’s hard for me to get into the showers since there’s like a lip in front of them and I’ve almost tripped a bunch of times because of it.” 

While Carroll Hall is a standard residence hall, it also affected the single style dorms in F. Don James Hall. Single style dorms in James Hall have been transformed into doubles.  

Junior Alexa Tamburrino lives in James Hall suite with five other people. 

Tamburrino said it took trial and error to find a suite for her and her roommate, but they eventually found a group that took them in. 

Although she was able to find her roommates, she said that there is extreme difficulty getting around the dorm hall due to the rise in occupants. 

“It’s harder to get things outside of the door and done, like if you try to take an elevator, there’s times you have to wait like 10 minutes to get an elevator,” she said. “Even the laundry room with all the washers and dryers being filled up all the time.” 

Tamburrino was under the impression that Carroll Hall was only going to be open temporarily. 

“I feel like that’s really odd, and I feel like it might be harder for people to get medical supplies if they need them just because there’s so many people here,” Tamburrino said. “I think they should build more dorm buildings that are bigger like James instead of focusing on dorm buildings like Beecher or Seth North that can’t fit as many people.”