New UNM dorms bring big changes

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - They were cramped and run-down.

That's why University of New Mexico's on-campus dorms were rated the worst in the country last year by The Princeton Review.

KRQE News 13 got an early look inside the new ones, and the school officials says the new dorms aren't just about comfort, they're also about graduation rates.

UNM says students who live on campus are more likely to stay in school and graduate.

The school is looking for new reputation as less of a commuter school and more of traditional university. This year 4,000 students are expected to live on campus, which is double what it was in years past.

The new dorms named Casas Del Rio are anything but traditional. The rooms are four times bigger than before.  They have hardwood floors in the bathrooms and individual sinks for each student.

Construction workers have been out there almost every hour of every day to get the project done on time. They say it'll be ready come move-in day Friday.

"This property is a one-year deal," said manager of the area Brent McPherson.  "We knew we could get it done. We're getting it done.

"In three days, 1,028 students are gong to come marching in, so we have to be ready. We've just got some light landscaping issues to take care of, but other than that, the exterior, we're ready for them

UNM also thinks it will help a little with the parking crunch. Traffic should also be lighter along Central Avenue.

While Casas Del Rio is in the heart of campus, it will be run by the private company that built it, the same one that runs the new student apartments near The Pit. Unlike those apartments, alcohol will not be allowed in the on-campus dorms.