Our theme is the ENTIRE building!
The International Living Theme
Smith Hall is the smallest and oldest residence hall on campus. With  just under 100 residents, it feels more like a home than a hall and with our International Living theme, our Smith family spans the globe. Although the proportions are always changing, the Smith tradition of internationally aware and culturally enthusiastic students still remains. Some residents are citizens of countries around the world, others have immigrated to the U.S. within the last 5 years, several have traveled and studied abroad, and pretty much everyone else plans to. From French to English to Chinese and Arabic, over 12 different languages are spoken and represented here!
"Smith Hall is great because it doesn't merely show off the differences between cultures, but more importantly, the vast similarities between all people of the world.” – Allison Collopy (2nd year American Student)
The best thing about Smith is the people and the community that magically happens. All residents participate in the international theme that exists in Smith--whether it be by putting on a culture night or by helping to plan our Fall International Food Luncheon and our Spring Fiesta. We have a TON of traditions that help hold us all together.
The Smith Hall Community
"The best thing about Smith Hall is its small size. Everyone here knows each other and we're very much like one big family. At the end of the day we can chill out together, reflect on things together and participate in fun activities. It's a home away from home." – Xiameng “Michelle” Liu (1st year student from China via Australia)
One of the other benefits of having such a small hall is, everyone pretty much knows everyone. And even if we don't know you, the people in the lounge will be sure to welcome you with a friendly hello. At the beginning of the year, Smith has an activity called Big Smithie-Little Smithie as a way to introduce new residents to the hall. Every week, we have some sort of fun activity and snacks as a way for us to get together and just socialize. It's also the time when we announce important hall business and activities. Some examples of other fun things we've done in Smith:
- Sledding
- Valentine's for the Troops
- Apple picking
- Pajama Party
- Karaoke
- Games Night
- Halloween Party
- Carnival Celebrations
- Chinese New Year Party
- Whitewater Rafting
- and MORE!
"Smith Hall is more of a home than a dormitory. There are always people around to hang out with; people that have had awesome experiences and been to many different places. The kitchen is AMAZING if you like to cook.
It's a very active community: people actually go to the socials, participate in intramurals. People are welcoming and respect one another. Smith Hall is a great location - right in the middle of campus. "
-Anne Szeker, Smithie Alum
According to the 2007 Residential Life Survey,
- 96% of Smith residents say that they like living in Smith
- 93% say they like living on their floor
- 89% feel like it's easy to make friends in the hall.
Smith Hall Academics
Smith is a place where people are committed to their academics.
You can almost always find someone studying in the spacious, comfortable study lounges in the basement, 1st and 4th floors. On average, the average Smithie spends 14.4 hours studying per week. Students enjoy the quiet atmosphere where people know when to work and when to play.
Because Smith students houses both upperclassmen and first years, you can almost always find someone who has taken a similar class. This makes it fairly easy to create study groups or get help when you need it. Smith also has a partnership with the Writing Center to provide extra writing help within the hall for students for whom English is not their first language. And for those learning a non-English language, the International theme within Smith facilitates practicing speaking outside the classroom.
Smith Hall Service
Smith has a long tradition of service. Every single year Smithies participate in several service projects aimed at informing the community about international students and scholars and the richness they bring to UNH. The two largest service projects include the International Food Luncheon (always the Friday before  Thanksgiving) and Fiesta (last Friday before finals in May). Every Smithie volunteers their time to make these events an annual success from cooking round-the-clock for a week before IFL to listening to hours of demo CD’s in an effort to hire bands and entertainers for Fiesta, to “chalking” campus to get the word out – everybody does something. Recently an new tradition has evolved at Smith Hall. Every year Smith sponsors a campus-wide event called “Smashing Stereoplates” during which stereotypes are identified and written on plates and then smashed from the top step of our porch, providing a very powerful message about what Smith Hall is about. Other than these three big events Smithies are always finding ways to help and serve with initiatives like:
- Playground Clean-up
- Special Olympics
- Relay for Life
- Afghans for Afghans
- Heifer International
Smith Hall Diversity
An overwhelming majority of residents report having had a meaningful conversation with students whose values or beliefs are different than theirs.
Because of its International theme, it may seem like Diversity comes easily in Smith. We have events where we explore different cultures. For example, "some programs we have done:
- What does it mean to be American?
- Indian Culture Night
- Vietnamese Culture Night
- Sushi Night
"Living in Smith Hall rocks, it is the best hall ever. As an international student, I've never had an American friend that understood me, until I moved to Smith and met Amy. I love living here."
 -Munevver Cavusoglu
2nd year, International student, economics major
But we have also tried to explore other social identity topics. We had a program on sexual orientation and in the past have had discussions on gay marriage and breaking stereotypes. Smith has participated in events like Take Back the Night. We have included activities that explore social class, gender issues and the importance of being an ALLY. The two most prominent programs include: Safe Zones Training and Building Bridges – both sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. The close-knit community makes it easy for these conversations to happen informally.
"I've had the internet for many years and met people from all over the country. I moved to Smith and made friends from all over the world!"
-Keith Cronyn (Class of 2007, American student, Psychology)
Commitment to Sustainability
Smith Hall has a very strong commitment to sustainability. Smith annually places in the top 3 in energy savings among all dorms on campus. In Spring 2007 after placing 2nd in the UNH Energy Challenge, the Smith Hall Council decided to spend it’s $200 in prize money to purchase energy efficient light bulbs (CFL’s) for every resident in Smith. This initiative resulted in such a great energy savings that plans are in the works to expand this program campus-wide.
As we say in Smith Hall,
"Once a Smithie, always a Smithie."
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