Imagine something you hold dear vanishing before your eyes, and nobody knows its significance to you.
This took place in May 2006, when Chidley Annex, named after Howard J. Chidley, a financial contributor and supporter of N. C. Central University, closed its doors forever — due to mechanical issues — after housing 25,000 male students over a 55-year period.
Chidley Main still stands today thanks to its sentimental value to the community.
"I stayed there all four years," said David Fitts, a 1976 alumnus whose son David Fitts, Jr. is an English senior.
"We had a lot of pride in Chidley Hall."
This admiration for the original Chidley Hall cannot be duplicated, but the newly furnished $30 million building, Chidley North, with a capacity of 517 students, is merely a reminder of its success.
The new Chidley North opened its doors this semester to 462 co-ed students.
According to Azsha Lawrence, forensic science sophomore, "Chidley is better than other dorms because it's very nice inside, spacious, and everyone gets their own bathroom. It's still being worked on but so far I am very pleased with how it looks."
Chidley North has a two-story lobby, "smart" rooms, where students are able to use the computer lab, attend classes and seminars, sensible room size, and careful landscaping.
One drawback is the distance from Chidley to the center of campus.
In previous years, some upperclassmen were forced to find off-campus living in apartments, boarding houses, or costly hotels.
Though Chidley North was built to reduce this problem, 6,200 students still live off-campus, some by choice, some not.
"Since we were not able to provide upperclassmen with housing before, it is difficult to get them back on campus," said Dr. Jennifer A. Wilder, director of residential life.
"It is very important for students to have the total college experience," Wilder said.







































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