East Fairchild is the home of the Communications Residential College. This residential unit was built in the early 1980s. It was built as one of two Sherman Fairchild Residential Colleges. A $2 million gift from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation helped provide equipment and finance other expenses for the residential colleges. Sherman Fairchild was a pioneer in photography, aviation, and sound engineering. He founded Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation and Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation.