Residents at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have raised concerns about ongoing issues in their dorm, Granville Towers. Freshmen living on the ninth floor shared their experiences with WRAL News, showing photos that highlighted serious problems. These included buckets collecting leaking black fluid, missing ceiling tiles, a light fixture filled with an unknown liquid, and stained carpets.
“It’s definitely a safety and health concern,” said Darden Cove, who lives in one of the affected rooms.
The issues began in September, according to the students, but despite numerous complaints to management, repairs have been slow or nonexistent. A concerned parent initially brought the situation to light after sharing a video recorded by their daughter.
Freshman Maggie Hu expressed unease, saying, “We’re worried about the rain. We’re not sure if leaks will happen again, especially since it’s supposed to rain this Saturday.”
WRAL News has reported similar issues in the past, including a broken elevator and lack of water in the dorm in 2023, as well as previous complaints about mold in the ventilation systems making students feel ill.
In response to the current problems, a spokesperson for Granville Towers stated that they were unaware of the leaks until recently, but they have hired an outside contractor to address the repairs and are working on cleaning the affected areas.
When asked why it took so long for action to be taken, WRAL did not receive a clear answer from the dorm’s management, but they assured residents would be kept informed about the repair process.
The students, however, are not satisfied with the response. “It’s disappointing,” Hu said. “I feel like we should receive better care, especially considering what we pay.”
For the 2025-26 school year, in-state students will face a total cost of $27,766, which includes tuition, housing, meals, books, and other expenses, according to the university’s information.
“I get the feeling that we aren’t being cared for properly,” Cone added. “Maybe maintenance could do a bit more.”
While Granville Towers is located on campus, it is not managed by the university itself. It’s worth noting that UNC has not built new dorms since 2002, but plans are underway to construct two new dorm buildings for 700 students near Jackson Hall, with an estimated cost of $110 million, funded largely by student housing fees.
