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Peering out a large window in a corner room at Neville-Jones House student residence on the University of New Brunswick’s (UNB) Fredericton campus, Cory Brown admired the fine view down College Hill and across the Wolastoq.

“Maybe people in Fredericton get a little too used to a view like that,” said Brown, senior director of residence at UNB.

Brown is justifiably proud of the modernization of Neville-Jones, one of the substantial construction projects on the Fredericton campus aligned with UNB’s Toward 2030 strategic plan.

This plan aims to enhance students’ personal well-being, social engagement and intellectual growth, while elevating the university’s reputation and attracting the best students.

“Based on what it was and what it is now, you would hardly recognize it was the same building inside,” said Brown of the residence, which opened in 1961.

“The only things that are the same are the bricks on the outside and the name,” he said.

The building was gutted and rebuilt, creating double, single, private and mixed dorm rooms. The door casings are hardwood and the energy-efficient windows look vintage. Washrooms and showers offer greater privacy.

“The showers went from essentially shower curtains — where you had better not move in if you had much modesty — to ultra-private. They are a massive step forward,” said Brown.

“Some students are from vulnerable populations, so privacy means much more than it used to. Students from vulnerable populations might not have chosen to live in Neville-Jones before this,” he said.

“The first part of my job description is to provide a safe and supportive environment. Neville-Jones is exactly that. It now also has keyless locks and security cameras.”

Other spaces have not been overlooked.

“We have crisp lounges with lots of technology. There are lounges for recreation and study. They are more technologically focused, with good Wi-Fi and televisions on the wall,” said Brown.

“This reflects what students are looking for today and not what they were looking for 40 or 50 years ago,” he said, calling Neville-Jones and its neighbour Aiken House “the crown jewels” of UNB’s Fredericton residences.

“UNB should be proud of itself,” he said.

‘The SUB is for social connections’

Renovations at the nearby Student Union Building (SUB), a vital campus third space, will significantly improve students’ opportunities for social engagement.

“These renovations will enhance the whole student experience,” said Dave Kell, senior advisor for strategic planning, assessment and operations, student affairs and services.

“For example, access to the new campus bookstore and pharmacy has been centralized in a hub of student activity. The SUB will be a vibrant, community-centred, student-focused building providing those services.”

The renovated area includes a wellness space and counselling services, a quiet space right off the entrance and a food service area with smart vending machines. The Blue Room has been refurbished and modernized.

“That whole floor has been revitalized,” said Kell.

The view is great here too.

“When you enter the main door, you can see all the way through to the glass on the other side and the beautiful view beyond it to the Wolastoq,” said Kell.

There is also an outdoor recreation area.

“We really wanted to create an outdoor social space for students where they can simply hang out, meet friends, read or play games,” said Becky Sullivan, director of the SUB.

“We have games such as cornhole, Spikeball, Frisbee and croquet that students can sign out to take outdoors,” she said.

Separate from this project, Tim Hortons downstairs has been upgraded by its operator, Chartwells, and UNB to become a full-service outlet.

“The SUB is for social connections, students’ social and emotional well-being to decompress, relax, and enjoy food with friends. These renovations will undoubtedly enhance that,” said Kell.

Photo: Cory Brown, senior director of residence at UNB, in a corner dorm room at the newly renovated Neville-Jones House residence.

Photo: The UNB Fredericton campus Student Union Building will provide a hub of services, including the new campus bookstore (pictured) and pharmacy.