Holworthy and Pennypacker now boast new fire alarms and new heating, lighting and sprinkler systems. Holworthy also got new wooden floors and additional showers.

Elizabeth L. Buckley, who has supervised the renovation of Holworthy, Pennypacker, Matthews and Hurlbut, says this summer's work finished on time and under budget.

"We had a decent schedule on both of these buildings because we were able to start in January," she says. "Each year it becomes just a little easier."

Repeat Victims

A quick glance at the lists of dorms undergoing renovations each summer would reveal some repeat victims, such as Hollis and Stoughton.

Both North Yard dorms were renovated last summer--except for their bathrooms. Stoughton also gained a new laundry and recycling room, and the historic mahogany facade on its west side was redone.

According to the various project managers, all the renovations were completed on schedule, although some warn that a few details need to be cleared up. Pennypacker residents, for example, will be without radiator covers for a few days.

Next summer, the $60 million renovation project will be finished when Massachusetts, Straus and Wigglesworth Halls go under the scaffolding.

Results of the renovation are noticeable to those who have watched it go on--clean brick walls, sturdy new window frames, brighter rooms.

Despite the numerous facelifts, however, Buckley said many of the halls' new residents may not even notice.

"We were just walking through the Yard and thinking about how nice the buildings look and how the parents are going to [appreciate] them," she said. "Of course, they're not going to know they just got renovated..."