Murchison Hall and Calvert Hall will be converted to single-bedroom upper division dorms starting this fall, according to Residential Life (ResLife). Rachel Boaz Toppel, director of ResLife, sent an email to the class of 2027 on Feb. 11 announcing the change, which includes renovations to Murchison Lounge and the space outside Murchison.

Though sophomores will still occupy the two lower floors in Calvert, rising seniors will be able to inhabit one of the 40 total senior-only dorms, having a room to themselves for $5,350 per semester, according to ResLife. The department is aiming to provide seniors with more private residency options, and the renovations will allow them to purchase the “Tiger 100 Meal Plan.”

“We are intentionally building towards having our upper division students in kind of a neighborhood along the quarry line to make it feel intentional for them,” Toppel said.

Throughout the 2026 summer break, the university will renovate Murchison Lounge to include a double kitchen, similar to North and South Halls’ common space, as well as a seating and studying area, according to ResLife. The outdoor space will also undergo renovations, but the scope of them are not yet clear.

ResLife intends to complete the lounge renovations early into the fall semester, but Toppel did not offer a concrete timeline for the outdoor changes. The Murchison elevator and dorms will still be available for student use while lounge renovations occur, as only the only structural renovations will be to the interior of Murchison Lounge.

Toppel said that these changes are being made in part to relieve pressure from other housing areas that offer private residency options to both juniors and seniors, including North and South Hall. ResLife is also looking for how larger room options on campus for seniors will affect housing in the City Vista apartments, she said. In turn, these additional living spaces for seniors will allow ResLife to allocate the space in City Vista differently.

“Seniors alone have access to private rooms in City Vista, and so part of what we’re piloting with this is making additional private rooms available to seniors in the residence halls, knowing that seniors are really looking for that private living space,” Toppel said.

All Trinity students will receive an email detailing housing information for the 2026-2027 school year next week, Boaz Toppel said. If students have questions about Trinity housing or would like to see what Murchison will look like after renovations, they should come to the “Campus Housing Fair” on Feb. 18 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Magic Stones, where ResLife staff will be available to answer questions, according to Toppel.