For more than thirty-two years, Princeton has housed all freshmen and sophomores in residential colleges. For more than a decade, it has offered spaces in three of the six residential colleges to juniors and seniors. The colleges are vibrant communities that provide dormitory, dining, and social space, with access to advising, academic and cultural activities, intramural sports, and study breaks. The colleges foster environments where all members of a diverse campus community can engage with and learn from each other. The additional space will expand the ability of the colleges to house more upperclass students and shift to a four-year residential college model.
These new buildings will become Princeton's seventh and eighth residential colleges. Their construction will advance one of Princeton's highest strategic priorities — expanding the undergraduate population by around 10 percent. The campus planning process proposed two residential colleges that could each house an additional 500 undergraduates. The two will be built adjacent to each other and share some essential features, such as dining areas and some common spaces. The extra capacity provided by the two colleges will allow the renovation of existing dorms.
The location for both colleges will be south of Poe Field, east of Elm Drive, and near the existing Butler, First, and Whitman colleges. The site's location extends the University's residential district southward to a point where the more formal, compact landscapes of the central campus lead into the natural landscapes of Lake Carnegie. The proximity to other residential colleges and the recreational open space on Poe/Pardee fields will support interaction, engagement, and a strong sense of community.
We design buildings and manage construction projects that help the University achieve our Sustainability Plan goals including achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2046. See how on our sustainable design pages. The University will seek LEED gold certification, a standard established by the U.S. Green Building Council (link is external), for the buildings.
If you have a question or concern about campus construction, please call us, 609-258-8023 (7:30 am – 5 pm) or submit a "Contact Us" form.
