Exploring the University of New Hampshire: A Comprehensive Campus Guide

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) stands as a top-tier land-, sea-, and space-grant public university, offering a wide array of postsecondary educational opportunities. Whether you're a prospective student, a current Wildcat, or simply curious about this esteemed institution, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the UNH campus, its academic offerings, student life, and unique features.

A University System with Diverse Campuses

The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) encompasses several institutions, each with its own distinct character. Residential campuses are integrated into the communities of Durham, Plymouth, and Keene. UNH Durham is the main residential campus. Other institutions within the USNH system include:

UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law (Concord): An innovative law school committed to experiential learning, accredited by the American Bar Association.
UNH College of Professional Studies: Focusing on areas of study responsive to the needs of employers, offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, post-baccalaureate programs for teachers, credit for prior learning, and various transfer opportunities.
UNH Manchester (UNHM): A campus located in the state's business hub, providing a world-class UNH education.
Plymouth State University (PSU): An integrated cluster-based university in the White Mountains and Lakes Region, offering student-centered learning opportunities.
Keene State College (KSC): New Hampshire’s public liberal arts college, emphasizing global citizenship, meaningful work, and economic development.

UNH Durham: A Hub of Academic Excellence and Research

Located in the seacoast town of Durham, UNH Durham serves both undergraduate and graduate students. It is recognized as a rising star among research universities while retaining the atmosphere of a New England liberal arts college, with a faculty dedicated to undergraduate teaching and research.

Historical Roots and Evolution

The University of New Hampshire has a rich history. The Morrill Act of 1862 granted federal lands to New Hampshire for the establishment of an agricultural-mechanical college. In 1866, the university was first incorporated as the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts in Hanover, New Hampshire, in association with Dartmouth College. Durham became the new home for the college thanks to a generous bequest. Classes officially began in Durham in the fall of 1893. The institution officially associated with Dartmouth College and was directed by Dartmouth's president. In 1923, the college's name was changed to the University of New Hampshire.

Colleges and Academic Programs

UNH is composed of eleven colleges and graduate schools, offering 2,000 courses in over 100 majors. Students have the opportunity to "learn whatever you want" with the support of the Office of Career and Professional Success. The university is "especially good at providing information and resources."

Key academic units include:

The Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics: Offering degrees in Business Administration, Hospitality, and Economics.
The Thompson School of Applied Science (TSAS): Conferred associate degrees in applied science in seven different programs.
College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA): Offers programs in areas such as agriculture, life sciences, and natural resources.

Study Abroad Opportunities

UNH offers many opportunities for students to study abroad through managed programs, exchange programs, and approved programs. The university runs/manages 22 study abroad programs in locations which include Cambridge, England; London, England; Edinburgh, Scotland; Brest, France; Dijon, France; Grenoble, France; Budapest, Hungary; Osaka, Japan; Utrecht, Netherlands; Maastricht, Netherlands; Ascoli Piceno, Italy; New Zealand; India; South Africa; Kenya; and Granada, Spain. The university also accepts credit from over 300 approved programs that are run through other institutions. The university organizes an annual summer abroad program at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University.

Campus Life and Student Activities

UNH offers a vibrant campus life with a wide range of activities and organizations to suit diverse interests.

Residential Life

As of 2006, the university housed 55% of all undergraduate students. Beginning with the Fall 2023 semester, first year and transfer students under the age of 21 are required to spend at least 4 semesters in on-campus housing. Several of the university's dormitories have specific themes, including a substance-free dormitory, an international dormitory, and several first year-only dormitories. Stoke Hall is the largest residence building on campus.

Student Organizations and Activities

A student's standard routine is to "attend their classes, do work for a few hours, and hang out a lot with each other at night." Students do mention "a very active night life with dorm competitions and socials, countless intramural sports teams, and welcoming parties across the campus," as well as events like trivia and concerts.

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Student Senate: The on-campus, undergraduate student government that serves as an advocate for all undergraduate students.
Greek Life: Approximately 15% of undergraduate students are affiliated with fraternities and sororities recognized by the university.

Athletics

The school's athletic teams are the Wildcats, and they compete in the NCAA Division I. New Hampshire is a member of the America East Conference for men's basketball, cross country, track and field, soccer, swimming & diving and tennis; and women's lacrosse, crew, field hockey, and volleyball. The women's gymnastics program competes in the Eastern Atlantic Gymnastics League at the Division I level. The university's colors are white and blue, and its mascots are two wildcats known popularly around campus as Wild E. Cat and Gnarlz. The recognized fight song of UNH is "On to Victory".

Key Campus Locations and Facilities

UNH's campus is home to a variety of facilities and locations that contribute to the student experience.

Dimond Library: The main library, featuring quiet study rooms, Zeke's Café, and the Dimond Academic Commons (DAC).
Parker Media Lab (PML): An interdisciplinary audio and visual self-service recording space located in the Dimond Library.
UNH InterOperability Laboratory (IOL): A technology testing lab where students gain hands-on experience with developing technologies and products.
Carsey School of Public Policy: Conducts policy research on vulnerable children, youth, and families and on sustainable community development.
The Fishbowl: A popular spot for students to hang out or relax in a hammock.
The John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center: Makes advanced manufacturing technologies available to all UNH students.
The Dairy Bar: Serving up delicious sandwiches, salads and ice cream.
Campus Amtrak Station: Providing convenient access to destinations like Boston and Portland.
College Woods: Offering 250 acres of woods, fields and streams for recreation and research.
James Hall Outdoor Classroom: Featuring a slate chalkboard and seats for outdoor learning.
The Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory: Includes a deep-water testing basin and a wave maker.
The Peter T. Paul Entrepreneurship Center: Supporting entrepreneurship-minded students with workshops, speaker series, and funding opportunities.

Visiting UNH

The best way to know if UNH is right for you is to visit and see for yourself.

Tours and Information Sessions

Info sessions and tours are offered on weekdays during varied times, on select Saturdays and during major high school vacation weekdays throughout the year. Campus tours are led by current students and showcase the campus, academic buildings, student life facilities and residence halls.

Transportation and Accommodations

UNH has free bus service to and from the campus to local towns (e.g. Portsmouth). The Downeaster Amtrak station is on campus with runs from Boston to Portland. Van service is available to Manchester Airport, the closest airport to campus.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Accommodations in Durham include the Holiday Inn Express, The Pines Guest House, and Three Chimney's Inn. In Portsmouth, accommodations include the Holiday Inn, Sheraton Portsmouth, Best Western Plus Portsmouth Hotel & Suites, Courtyard by Marriott Portsmouth, and Hampton Inn.

UNH Manchester and UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law

While the Durham campus is the main hub, UNH also has a presence in Manchester and Concord.

UNH Manchester

Located in the Pandora Mill in Manchester's historic Amoskeag Millyard, UNH Manchester provides a world-class UNH education in the state's business hub.

UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law

Located in Concord, the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law connects students directly to the courts, the legislature, and the center of the state’s legal system.

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