Proposed Durham Building Closures

Various units have been notified of an effort to close buildings on the Durham campus. Can you share more information on the university-wide plan, and how we will support units currently working in buildings planned for closure?

Response provided by Bill Janelle, Associate Vice President for Facilities. 

As part of a university-wide effort to better align our physical footprint with current and future needs, UNH is evaluating several buildings on the Durham campus for closure. This work is driven by direction from the Board of Trustees and our shared responsibility to manage operating costs while preserving resources that directly support students, teaching, and research.

Following a review, six buildings have been identified for potential closure based on factors such as total cost of ownership, building condition, occupancy levels, and opportunities to minimize disruption to the student experience. The buildings identified for this first phase are: 2 Leavitt Lane, Conant Hall, Morrill Hall, Nesmith Hall, Taylor Hall, and Wolff House. Once the list is finalized, some buildings will be maintained at a minimal level for possible future use while others will be hard closed and prepared for demolition. This initiative is focused solely on the condition and cost of buildings, and is in no way a reflection of the value of the people or programs housed within them.

The Campus Stewardship team is working closely with deans and unit leaders to ensure a thoughtful transition for the programs and employees currently in these spaces. Each affected unit will be supported through planning discussions to determine the most suitable path forward, which may include relocation on campus, hybrid arrangements, or remote work options.