New Campus Spaces

Classroom in Kaufman Hall.

Staffor Reading Room, Waidner-Spahr Library.

Simulated Excavation Field in the W. M. Keck Foundation Center for
Human Origins and Ancient Cultures.

Q&A with Nick Stamos, vice president for campus operations

How might the campus change in the next five years?

Phase II of construction of the new science complex will be completed in 2008. The chemistry department and parts of the psychology and biology departments will be housed there. We’re planning a full renovation of Althouse Hall, which will contain either geology or environmental studies or, perhaps, both. Then later, after funds become available, we’ll begin phase III of the science-complex construction. Further down the road, Dana Hall is slated for renovation.

How does the administration decide what changes to make?

We study and plan carefully. We are about to undertake a master-planning study that will include all aspects of campus life. It will take into account the programmatic plans for academic and residential life on campus, anticipated student enrollment and projected funding sources. The study will help us develop a building and renovation plan that will define the location and use of future buildings, as well as the renovation and use of existing spaces. The key to this process is developing our plan for the future, including what our housing model will look like and what new and exciting academic plans will be created.

What facilities issues are on your mind?

The college has spent more than $20 million on residence-hall renovations in the last seven years, but we have much more to do there. We would also like to address needs at Biddle Field, the Kline Center and the Holland Union Building. And, as always, we need to focus our attention on environmental sustainability as part of our ongoing determination to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.