On September 4, more than 3,000 newly enrolled undergraduates from all over China moved into their new homes at Tsinghua, the just-finished Zijing Freshman Dormitories, which are part of the ongoing project to build modern, convenient housing for all Tsinghua students.
Covering an area of nearly 40,000 square meters, the three freshman dorms in the complex – two for men, one for women – put four students to a room. Each room has two sets of bunk beds, with storage space and shelves allotted for every occupant. All of the pristine rooms are outfitted with a computer table and bookshelves, wardrobe, and cupboard for each student. In addition, the rooms offer high-speed web ports and central air conditioning. Every two rooms are connected by a “sitting room” with a dining table and TV.
The second phase of the Zijing housing project started in June this year, and will be ready for the new undergraduates arriving in September 2003. It is expected that by 2004, the new dormitories for international students, continuing education students, and graduate students, will be finished. In the meantime, construction is underway on the Student Dining Hall, Student Activity Center, Student Service Center and the Athletic Field, and should be finished in 2004. By then, all Tsinghua students will reach the living standard of “421”, an on-going plan initiated by the Ministry of Education which aims to improve the campus housing standard of college students over the country. That is, four undergraduates per room, two master degree candidates per room, and a private room for each Ph.D. candidate.
Located in the northern part of the Tsinghua campus, the entire project of the Zijing Student Housing Complex of Tsinghua University covers an area of 35.2 hectares. After the work is completed, encompassing a total area of 370,000 square meters, accommodations will be available for a total of 22,240 students, including 14,000 undergraduates, 3,000 M.A. students, 1,240 doctoral students, 2,000 continuing education students, and 2,000 international students.
（Liu Aixiang，09/20/2002）
（http://news.tsinghua.edu.cn）
