The University of Maryland is planning to install air conditioning to at least two more dorms in the coming years, interim director of residential facilities John Blackwood told RHA during a town hall Thursday evening.
This university plans to add air conditioning to Ellicott Hall as soon as spring 2027, according to Blackwood. The Maryland Board of Public Works also approved funding for future upgrades to Hagerstown Hall in a Wednesday meeting.
Once installations are finished for Ellicott Hall, upgrades for Hagerstown Hall will begin, Blackwood said.
On Wednesday, the state public works board — which consists of the governor, treasurer and comptroller — approved more than $2.7 million in funding for renovations of Ellicott and Hagerstown halls.
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The funding is designated for future improvements to the dorms, which include bathroom infrastructure updates and the addition of air conditioning, according to a statement from this university.
The board also approved more than $81,000 for site enhancements adjacent to the new Discovery House graduate apartment community, scheduled to open in August 2026.
RHA president Emily Shoemaker told The Diamondback that the association has been involved in these plans to renovate Ellicott Hall since at least 2022.
She said the quality of life of everyone living in Ellicott Hall, including resident assistants and community assistants, will benefit from the addition.
“There’s a lot of freshmen who basically get saddled with Ellicott, and they’re not going to get saddled anymore.” Shoemaker said. “They’re going to get placed, and they’re going to be rather satisfied with it.”
South Hill senators Anjali Gangalam and Sumedha Vankadara told The Diamondback that it is important these renovations are coming to the dorms, as it will benefit students who struggle in dorms without air conditioning.
“It’ll definitely help with easing the concerns of students, especially incoming students at UMD regarding living situations,” said Gangalam, a freshman biology major.
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Vankadara, a freshman social data science major, said she was concerned about getting a dorm without air conditioning when she first came to the university. The addition of air conditioning will ease students’ comfort and encourage more people to attend this university, she said.
Resident Life director Dennis Passarella-George said the execution of these renovations are going to be nuanced. These developments are often complex, expensive and can take years, he explained.
While the project will hold its challenges, he assured students attending the town hall that these renovations are at high priority.
“I’m hoping that the takeaway for tonight is that air conditioning and upgrading our residence halls are still two of our top facilities’ priorities,” he said.
