Faculty, staff and students met with campus planners throughout the day on Tuesday to mull a draft of a facilities and space master plan for the 21st century.
The plan, described as a 20-year physical development agenda, is “very much a work in progress,” according to Richard Dober, principal of Dober, Lidsky, Craig
Associates, the Boston firm hired by the College. Dober described the framework of the plan and solicited comments from members of the Union community.
The draft plan called for “qualitative” changes, not “quantitative” ones, Dober said, explaining that it assumes no significant changes in the size, mission
or organization of the College.
The draft is to be presented to the Board of Trustees at its February meeting, Dober said.
The draft contained 25 proposals for physical development of buildings and sites. The items, which include improvements to academic, residential, athletic and administrative
spaces, have not been ordered by priority, Dober said.
Meanwhile, at a faculty meeting on Jan. 11, William Shafer, capital projects and construction manager, presented architects' drafts for the renovation and expansion of Schaffer Library. Plans call for the removal of the 1972 addition, and a total increase in size from the current 70,000 square feet to about 90,000 square feet. The two-phase project could begin as early as the end of this year, with completion by the end of 1998, he said.
Shafer showed renderings of a three-story building with an open atrium area. The first-floor entry area would contain reference services. The second-floor learning center would contain an electronic classroom, group study area and language lab. The building also would contain a welcoming periodicals reading room with computer facilities. Special Collections would have a classroom space and areas for public lectures and exhibits. The west facade of the building would remain largely unchanged, with most of the expansion to
take place at the building's east end, Shafer said.
President Roger Hull announced that about $9.5 million has been raised for the library. Total cost is estimated at around $17 million — $12 million for construction, $2 million for a maintenance endowment, and $3 million for a technology endowment, he said.
Also at the faculty meeting, Louisa Matthew was elected to a replacement position on the Academic Affairs Council. Julius Barbanel and Frank Wicks were elected to replacement
positions on the Student Affairs Committee.