By Adam Mills

Contributing Writer

Presidential Village, The University of Alabama’s newest dormitory, opened its doors to students this fall.

In addition to the over 970 student residents, Presidential Village houses a number of perks, including multiple kitchens, classrooms, covered bicycle racks and a community room with an iPod hookup built into the wall.

According to Alicia Browne, director of Housing and Residential Communities, the cost of the Presidential Village was approximately $66 million.

“In Presidential [Village], our staff also worked very hard to create interesting community spaces that students would use and enjoy,” Browne said. “These include the covered seating in the courtyard, with grills; the two community kitchens and the living room and tv room, designed to encourage informal interactions of residents.”

Nataly Fudge, a freshman majoring in biology and classics, likes these interactions.

“The atmosphere is extremely friendly,” Fudge said. “I feel like all of the residents are happy and willing to meet new people [and] make new friends,” Fudge said.

Freshman resident Logan Paquin likes the 7th floor community room, stocked with two TVs, Playstation 3s and Xbox 360s, a baby grand piano, a television projector and the iPod hookup.

“I’ve used [the community room],” Paquin said. “It’s right down the hall and a lot of people use it.”

Paquin originally wanted to live in another dorm but was happy to end up in his 7th floor room in Presidential Village.

“I’ve seen dorms at others schools, and they don’t compare [to Presidential Village],” Paquin said.

The dorm also includes a “water wall” modeled after the Black Warrior River.

“The water wall recognizes the close proximity to the Black Warrior River,” Browne said. “The beautiful natural features of the water wall really reflect the river and park located right across the street.”

Freshman roommates Mikaela Gallagher and Alex Chandler are also pleased with the dorm but said the dorm is not without its issues. Residents in Presidential Village have faced problems with malfunctioning elevators, Internet connectivity, alleged leaking, parking and even vermin.

“We have a mouse problem,” Chandler said. “It’s pretty weird.”

Housing staff placed live traps in Chandler and Gallagher’s room and others to some success.

“No new building opens without a few issues, but the contractors were around all through move-in to address any issues,” Browne said.

Despite minor issues, these residents are pleased with their new home. For Gallagher and Chandler, move-in was spotless. Both roommates reported being moved in with the assistance of housing staff and volunteers within 10 minutes.

“We love living here and we’re very happy,” Gallagher said. “We could have a few more mice, and it would still be worth living here.”

Presidential Village is just the first phase in a series of residential developments.

“Phase 2, a similar residence hall with a capacity of 864 is scheduled to open in Fall 2014,” Browne said. “A Student Activity Center, which will include University Recreation space and the Housing and Residential Communities offices, will be constructed in between the two residence halls. It is currently scheduled to open in early 2014.”