Facilities Operations are the unsung heroes at the University. They keep the campus clean, both inside buildings and out; spend winters plowing, shoveling and sanding the roads and walkways; rake and mow the grass in fall, spring and summer. Packages are delivered from the mailroom to offices around the University, tables and chairs for banquets, luncheons, special events such as commencement are repeatedly set up and broken down. The men and women who work for facilities constitute the largest department staff-wise at Norwich with their numerous duties that keep the University running.

While "Fac Ops", as they are known on campus, are busy during the academic year, the months in the summer without the entire student body on campus is a time for them to work on special projects. They coordinate year-round to fit projects into the "downtime" the summer months provide. They regularly communicate about what they will be working on with the Norwich community via the internal website.

The following is a partial list of summer 2009 projects: relocation of Nursing Department to Bartoletto Hall; renovation of spaces in Webb and Ainsworth Hall to accommodate faculty office moves; rebuilding of Webb entrance; upgrading numerous exterior stairs; installing new exterior doors at Plumley Armory; reconstructing two flights of stairs in Wilson; replacement of rotted exterior wood in Hollis House; moving new dorm furniture into Hawkins and mattresses in Patterson; painting multiple dorm and building entrances throughout campus; preparing all large hot water tanks for state inspection per a new code.

The largest project on campus is the completion of South Hall dorm at the south end of campus. In addition to building the 281 bed dorm, a bridge over University Ave from the Upper Parade Ground will be built. The new bridge necessitated the demolition of a building formerly known as "16 University" that housed Social Science faculty and staff.

At just over 77,000 square feet, South Hall has five stories that includes basement with laundry facilities and 120 miles of cable and wiring. Sara Kessler, the Project Manager and a 1998 graduate of the Architecture program, cites a list of local materials used in the building. These include hard maple dorm furniture from New Hampshire, conference tables from Wall/Goldfinger in Northfield, locally harvested maple study chairs from Beeken-Parsons in Shelburne and 300,000 Vermont Bricks from Highgate Center.

In a script for upcoming tours Kessler writes, "All of the windows provide gorgeous and diverse views. At the 5th Floor, you're at the same level as Jackman Hall."

South Hall will open as scheduled for occupancy for civilian Norwich students in August 2009 when the fall semester starts.