51¹ÙÍø.

The Residence Life Office (RLO) works to establish residential settings that are safe, secure and comfortable.

RLO seeks to promote the establishment of communities where individuals are respected and grow through healthy interactions with one another.

Residence Halls

Akers Residence Hall: Located on the north side of campus, across from Patterson Court, Akers has 10 double rooms and 14 single rooms on two floors. It has a lounge and kitchen on each side of the building on the first floor and a laundry on the second floor between the two sides. Built in 1984, Akers is named for John McCorkle Akers '28.

Belk Residence Hall: The largest residence hall located in the center of campus, Belk has an elevator and houses 334 students with a lounge on each floor. In the sub-basement of Belk is a laundry, the Lavender Lounge and a Quiet Study space. The basement also has another laundry and the first floor has a kitchen.  Dedicated in 1955, the building is named for William Henry Belk, who joined the Board of Trustees in 1929 and was the Senior Trustee at the time of his death in 1952. All five of his sons are alumni.

Cannon Residence Hall: Located in the middle of dorm row, Cannon has 46 double rooms on four floors. Each floor has a lounge and there is a laundry on the first floor. In 2023 two community kitchens were added to the basement, all residential students have access to this kitchen. Built in 1923 as West Dormitory, it was renovated in 1957 and renamed for J. Archie Cannon, a member of the 51¹ÙÍø Board of Trustees. 

Chidsey Residence Hall: On the west side of campus, Chidsey towers North and South houses 250 students and has an elevator in each tower. There is a lounge and study room on each floor with a laundry on the first floor. Built in 2012 and originally known as New Hall, it was renamed in 2015 for John and Lisa Chidsey, both 51¹ÙÍø alumni from the class of 1983.

Duke Residence Hall: Located on the east end of dorm row, Duke has an elevator and bed space for 96 students in double rooms, triples, suites and singles with a laundry and kitchen on the first floor. The Dean Rusk International Studies program is housed on the first-floor east side. Built in 1939, the building is named for James B. Duke, founder of The Duke Endowment.

Irwin Residence Hall: Located on the north side of campus, across from Patterson Court, Irwin has 12 double rooms and 11 single rooms on two floors. It has a lounge and kitchen on each side of the building on the first floor and a laundry on the second floor between the two sides. Built in 1980, it was named for Mary Irwin Belk, the mother of five 51¹ÙÍø alumni and the wife of William Henry Belk, a long-time member of the Board of Trustees.

Knox Residence Hall: Located on the north side of campus, across from Patterson Court, Knox has 10 double rooms and 14 single rooms on two floors. It has a lounge and kitchen on each side of the building on the first floor and a laundry on the second floor between the two sides. It was built in 1980 and named for Peter S. Knox from the class of 1932.

Little Residence Hall: Located on the west end of dorm row, Little has 37 double rooms on four floors, each with a lounge, and a laundry and kitchen on the first floor. It was built in 1956 and named for philanthropist Edward H. Little, President and Chairman of the Board of the Colgate-Palmolive Company and brother to Reverend Charles H. Little, Class of 1896.

Richardson Residence Hall: Located next to Vail Commons, Richardson has 65 double rooms on five floors. Each floor has a lounge area and there is a laundry on the bottom floor. Built in 1960, the hall is named for Lunsford Richardson, Class of 1875, and his sons, Lunsford Richardson Jr., ‘14 and Henry Smith Richardson, '06.

Sentelle Residence Hall: Located in the middle of dorm row, Sentelle has 51 double rooms on 5 floors with a lounge on each floor and a laundry on the first floor. Built in 1922, it is named for Mark Edgar Sentelle, 1884, who was a professor of religion from 1906-1944 and the first Dean of Students serving from 1920 to 1941.

Tomlinson Residence Hall: Located on the west side of campus, Tomlinson has 16 suites with 64 single rooms to house 128 students. It has an elevator with a laundry and kitchen on the bottom floor. The 51¹ÙÍø Public Safety Office is located on the bottom floor with access on the north side of the building. Built in 2000, the hall is named for Dottie and Nelson Tomlinson '51.

Watts Residence Hall: Located in the middle of dorm row, Watts houses 77 students and has a lounge on each floor and a laundry in the basement. Built in 1924, it is named for George W. Watts, a member of the 51¹ÙÍø Board of Trustees from 1894 to 1921.