Members of the University of Connecticut community joined state legislators and other guests on Friday, Sept. 13 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Connecticut Hall student residence facility and dining hall.

The first residents moved in this semester to the 652-bed residence hall, which is part of South Campus and features suite-style rooms typically housing four people each. It also has a new state-of-the-art dining facility with beautiful views of Mirror Lake.

“This is not only a milestone for the University of Connecticut, but for our entire state,” said UConn President Radenka Maric. “The investment in this state-of-the-art facility shows that Connecticut is committed to providing world-class resources for a world-class student population.

“Importantly, it also demonstrates our commitment as a university to sustainability and stewardship of our resources.”

Connecticut Hall is the first building at UConn that will have a geothermal heating system, which will come on-line next year. UConn also expects this facility to achieve the distinction of LEED Gold Status, a prestigious recognition of this project’s comprehensive adoption of best practices in sustainability.

Connecticut Hall is home to upper-division students in the UConn Honors Program, the Nursing Learning Community, and the Wellness Community. Its first floor includes a game room, large community living room, and many group workspaces. Each of the seven residential floors include lounge spaces for students to gather, study, and spend time together.

“In the one month I have lived here, I can already testify to the many laughs and memories shared in these areas – these are the true moments I will remember as I graduate from this University in May,” said Justin Guinta ’25 (CLAS), a criminal behavior and law enforcement administration major from Monroe, who also serves as a resident assistant in Connecticut Hall.

“To speak on behalf of the student population, for both those currently residing and all those that will reside here, thank you for the incredible building that stands behind me,” Guinta said. “Its value will have great impact on generations of Huskies to come.”

The ceremony was hosted by Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment Nathan Fuerst, and was attended by representatives of the architects and building contractors responsible for the construction. A number of state lawmakers also attended the ceremony on Friday morning.

“UConn is so important for our future in Connecticut and Connecticut Hall is a new, exciting part of that,” said State Senator Mae Flexer ’08 (CLAS), whose district includes Mansfield. “We need to continue to keep investing in UConn and to keep letting people know how important it is.”

“This is an investment in the students of UConn,” said State Representative Greg Haddad ‘89 (CLAS), who represents Mansfield. “When you graduate from UConn, we hope you build the economy in Connecticut and raise your families here.”

“Connecticut Hall is an investment in a building, but also nurturing young people to be great students,” said State Representative Tim Ackert, who serves the nearby towns of Tolland, Columbia, Coventry, Bolton and Lebanon. “I am impressed with the complete student services that this building offers.”