Over the years, several factors have converged to create the demand for new and renovated faculty housing at the Academy. As a residential school, the Academy needs faculty in dormitories and within easy walking distance of campus, to support the learning and mentoring that occur beyond the classroom—in athletics, clubs and social activities—and to provide academic help outside of class. Exeter currently houses less than 75 percent of its faculty, while many of its sister schools house 100 percent. By increasing the percentage of faculty living on or in close proximity of campus to 85 or 90 percent, the Academy’s teachers will remain easily accessible to students and more directly connected to the residential life of the school as student advisers and affiliates with dormitories.

The new faculty houses currently under construction are the first stage of a long-term plan to renovate, purchase or build additional faculty housing to achieve these goals. In addition to the construction of new units, the hope is to renovate some of Exeter’s larger and older dorms (using Cilley Hall as a model) in order to improve the faculty-student ratio. To reduce the number of students living in many of Exeter’s larger dormitories, the Academy plans to gradually move some of them into Exeter’s smaller residential houses, such as Dow and Kirtland. A reduction in the number of students living in Exeter’s larger dormitories means that the Academy will be able to improve existing faculty apartments through redesign and/or expansion. Some current faculty apartments are so small or are in such poor condition that the instructors housed there move on yearly. Improving the size and quality of dorm apartments will provide for the continuity and stability of the dorm advising team, which will in turn enhance faculty-student relationships and advising in general. Additionally, by increasing and improving dormitory and post-dormitory housing for faculty, Exeter hopes to gain a teacher recruiting advantage. “Better housing will help us to attract the best candidates,” says Dean Eggers.

The new faculty homes and dorm renovation plans have received the support of Exeter’s trustees, administrators and faculty. Additionally, this year’s annual giving campaign for parents and grandparents has focused on the housing initiative. When Exeter’s long term housing plan is ultimately completed, the result will be a residential climate that is more supportive of the academic, social and developmental needs of students and more attractive to the first-class instructors who strive to give their all to Exeter’s 24-hour, seven-day-a-week learning community.