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Learn the history of the building's name

Awosting Hall is a suite-style residence hall in the Peregrine Complex, constructed in 1968. Suites in each of the Peregrine Complex halls consist of two to four double occupancy bedrooms, a common bath and a small lounge area.

Students who live in the suites enjoy the privacy of their own "living room" and can personalize it (along with their individual rooms) with posters, plants, rugs and furniture. Residents are responsible for maintaining and cleaning their own bathrooms.

Common areas feature modern furnishings and decor that provide students with a comfortable space to study or relax with friends. 

In the basement of Awosting Hall are a computer lab, laundry room with washers and dryers that are free to use for all residents, a TV lounge, cooking facilities, and a recycling/trash room.

Also located in the basement is OASIS, a student run crisis center, and HAVEN, a rape crisis center, both of which are affiliated with the campus Psychological Counseling Center. Vending machines, a microwave oven, public restrooms and a large study lounge are on the first floor of Awosting Hall.

Awosting Hall is in close proximity to the outdoor basketball court, the Student Health Center, Peregrine Dining Hall and a computer lab. Awosting Hall residents are active within their diverse community and have established a friendly atmosphere throughout the building.

As a 10-month hall, Awosting is open during winter and spring breaks, allowing residents to remain on campus when other halls are closed. Students must already live in 10-month housing to stay over breaks.

What’s in a Building Name?

Awosting Hall is named after Lake Awosting, one of the “sky lakes” on the Shawangunk Ridge overlooking New Paltz. The word “Awosting” is adapted from the Native American (Munsee) word “aiaskawosting,” which referred to a region to the west of present-day New Paltz that was characterized by high, grassy hills.

From 1968-2019, the building was named Deyo Hall after Christian and Pierre Deyo, original patentees of New Paltz who settled in this region along with other original Huguenot patentees during the 17^th century.

Early generations of the Deyo family, including Christian and Pierre Deyo, owned enslaved Africans prior to the 1828 emancipation in New York State. During the Civil War, many Deyo family members fought with the Union Army, including Andrew LeFevre Deyo, who was deployed to Louisiana during his service.

Subsequent generations of the Deyo family demonstrated strong commitment to education and contributed to founding, governing and supporting the schools that would eventually become SUNY New Paltz

The SUNY New Paltz College Council and the SUNY Board of Trustees voted to change the name of this and five other buildings in the Peregrine Complex in 2019, following nearly two years of research and inclusive dialogue initiated by President Donald P. Christian and led by the Diversity & Inclusion Council.

The process involved a broad constituency of students, faculty, staff, alumni, the College Council, campus leadership, and community stakeholders, including Huguenot descendants and Historic Huguenot Street leadership.

The Diversity & Inclusion Council ultimately recommended that changing the building names would position the College to better serve the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. President Christian supported this recommendation and advocated strongly for its approval by the College Council and Board of Trustees.

Consistent with our mission as an academic institution, a contemplative space will be created on campus (fall 2020) to present a more complete history of the College. That includes the history and lasting impacts of slavery, especially northern slavery, the contributions of enslaved Africans and their descendants, the history and legacy of indigenous people before and after European settlement, and the many positive contributions of Huguenot descendants to civic and educational life in New Paltz and beyond.

Click here to read more about the building renaming process.