Project Overview
Ram Ramah College of New Jersey (RCNJ) has embarked on a multiyear initiative titled Phase II Housing Rehabilitation. The program builds on the successful Phase I effort, which modernized 120 studentoccupied apartments and 30 faculty housing units across the campus. Phase II expands the scope to 220 additional units, integrating sustainable design, universal accessibility, and cuttingedge technology.
Located in the heart of the colleges residential campus, the targeted buildings are a mix of midcentury dormitories and older faculty homes that have suffered from deferred maintenance, outdated mechanical systems, and inadequate energy performance. The initiative aims to bring these structures up to contemporary standards while preserving the architectural character that defines the campus aesthetic.
Goals & Objectives
Phase II seeks to achieve four primary outcomes:
- Improved Living Conditions: Upgrade plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, and fire safety systems to meet New Jerseys most recent building codes.
- Sustainability: Reduce campuswide energy consumption by at least 25% through highefficiency insulation, LED lighting, and smart thermostats.
- Accessibility: Ensure every renovated unit complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), providing barrierfree entrances, widened doorways, and bathroom adaptations.
- Community Resilience: Strengthen the campuss ability to withstand extreme weather events by installing floodresistant foundations and resilient roofing systems.
These objectives align with RCNJs broader strategic plan that emphasizes environmental stewardship, student wellbeing, and longterm fiscal responsibility.
Key Partners
The success of Phase II hinges on collaboration among a diverse set of stakeholders:
College Administration
The Office of Facilities Management provides project leadership, coordinates procurement, and monitors compliance with regulatory standards.
Local Government
Ramapo Countys Department of Planning and Economic Development has contributed grant funding and technical assistance, particularly for flood mitigation measures.
NonProfit Organizations
Partners such as the New Jersey Housing Preservation Alliance and the Sustainable Campus Initiative offer expertise in affordablehousing best practices and green construction.
Academic Units
The School of Architecture and Design serves as a living laboratory, allowing students to observe and participate in realworld renovation projects. Their contributions range from design charrettes to postoccupancy evaluations.
Rehabilitation Process
The renovation timeline is divided into three distinct phases:
Phase A Planning & Assessment (Months 16)
- Comprehensive building surveys to inventory structural deficiencies, hazardous materials, and energy performance gaps.
- Stakeholder workshops to gather input from students, faculty, and staff regarding desired amenities and accessibility needs.
- Development of a detailed scope of work, cost estimates, and a phased construction schedule.
Phase B Construction & Installation (Months 724)
- Selective demolition of nonloadbearing interior walls, outdated HVAC ducts, and contaminated flooring.
- Installation of highefficiency heat pumps, variablespeed fans, and energyrecovery ventilators to improve indoor air quality.
- Application of sprayfoam insulation in walls and attics to achieve an Rvalue of 40+.
- Upgrade of electrical panels to 200amp service, facilitating the integration of smarthome technology.
- Retrofit of bathrooms with ADAcompliant fixtures, grab bars, and wheelchairaccessible showers.
- Replacement of windows with doublepane, lowE glass, reducing heat loss by up to 30%.
Phase C Commissioning & Evaluation (Months 2530)
- Performance testing of HVAC systems to verify design intent and achieve targeted energy savings.
- Postoccupancy surveys to assess resident satisfaction with comfort, safety, and technology features.
- Final documentation, including asbuilt drawings and maintenance manuals for future facility staff.
Throughout construction, a NJ Department of Community Affairs health and safety liaison monitors compliance with local ordinances and ensures that all work follows the latest pandemicrelated safety protocols.
Community Impact
Early indicators from the pilot units renovated during Phase I demonstrate measurable benefits that Phase II is poised to amplify:
- Energy Savings: Average monthly utility bills dropped by 28% per unit, translating to an annual campus savings of approximately $210,000.
- Health Improvements: Residents reported a 35% reduction in allergy symptoms after the installation of HEPArated ventilation filters.
- Academic Performance: A study conducted by the Colleges Office of Student Success found a modest but statistically significant increase in GPA among students living in the upgraded dorms.
- Environmental Benefits: The projected reduction of carbon emissions amounts to roughly 2,500 metric tons of CO per year once Phase II is fully operational.
Beyond these quantifiable outcomes, the renovation fosters a stronger sense of community pride. By preserving historic faades while introducing contemporary interior environments, the campus continues to reflect the values of innovation and respect for its heritage.
Future Plans & Sustainability
Phase II is not an endpoint but a catalyst for longterm sustainability initiatives. The college plans to integrate the renovated housing stock into a broader Smart Campus framework, which will include:
- Realtime energy dashboards accessible to residents via a mobile app.
- Automated demandresponse controls that shift nonessential loads during peak grid periods.
- Solar photovoltaic arrays on dormitory rooftops, projected to supply 15% of the housing sectors electricity needs.
- Continued partnerships with local vocational schools to provide handson training in green construction techniques.
Funding for these next steps is being pursued through a blend of state grant programs, private philanthropy, and the colleges own capital reserves. By maintaining a transparent reporting system, RCNJ hopes to inspire other highereducation institutions throughout New Jersey to adopt similar housing revitalization models.
For more information, stakeholders and interested members of the public are encouraged to visit the Ramapo College Housing page or contact the Office of Facilities Management directly at facilities@ramapo.edu.
