Although the Board of Trustees had approved Scheme C for the Commons renovation in October 2005, the Deans’ Council has decided upon a new plan designed to distribute the money more evenly about campus. The proposed plan includes a renovation of the Commons kitchens, transforming Pearson Hall into a Community Center for both faculty and students, and adding a sizeable wing to Bulfinch Hall. The Academy projected the cost of Scheme C as $42 million dollars. It would have allowed for the creation of an East dining pavilion, which would have held up to 320 people. Though the new plan will not construct a larger dining hall, which would have proved useful for alumni events, it does address other facilities issues on campus such as Pearson’s current state of disrepair, overcrowding in Bulfinch, and the need for more music classrooms. Commons will still undergo the original basic renovation to the kitchens, however the Ryley Room will be removed to create more space for upgraded cooking facilities. Instead of Ryley, students will look towards Pearson as a multi-purpose Community Center. The administration chose Pearson because of its central location, underground connection to Morse Hall, and its size. Furthermore, the building was in need of “substantial deferred maintenance,” according to Head of School Barbara Landis Chase. Following a renovation to maximize Pearson’s square footage, the new student center will consist of four floors. The areas will be devoted to a café, faculty mailboxes, meeting spaces, a student activities office, lounge areas, and a space for student dances. School President Danny Silk ’07 said, “I practically live in Pearson…[because I take] both Latin and Greek…[so the plan] was hard to swallow at first.” The administration hopes to enrich and encourage faculty-student relations in Pearson, as a Community Center where both groups will feel comfortable relaxing during free periods or after classes. However, these plans will displace the Classics department. Thus, in conjunction with the dining and community renovations, the administration plans to add a substantial East wing to Bulfinch. The English building was already slated for renovations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); however, the construction would have infringed upon the space of the largest department on campus. The new plan will allow the building to provide handicapped access, maintain enough area to accommodate the English Instructors, as well as create extra space for the Religion/Philosophy and Classics departments. When the religion classes are relocated to Bulfinch, the space in the basement of Cochran Chapel will be used to expand the Music Department. The Deans’ Council hopes to encourage interdisciplinary studies among the departments, which will share Bulfinch. To solve all three of these problems – Commons, Pearson, and Bulfinch, – the Academy will spend about $51 million, in a more cost-effective plan than the initial Scheme C. Silk said, “Right now we need to observe how students and faculty react…faculty are jut as effected…[and] especially since these are tentative plans I think it’s important that the administration considers faculty and student input.” Acting Associate Head of School Jane Fried said, “[The administration] is not at the point where anything is set in stone,” though the Academy anticipates the Commons renovation to begin in 2007. Mrs. Chase said that the Deans’ Council is considering renovating Pearson Hall first, so that students would not have to eat in the Cage during the Commons renovation. The Addison Gallery Board of Governors is also debating a renovation plan, which would expand the museum in order to create an educational center, more gallery space, art storage, as well as visitor and staff facilities. Dean of Students and Residential Life Marlys Edwards invited all students to a forum on Thursday, April 13 to discuss the upcoming changes. The Board of Trustees will discuss and approve the proposed alterations at their Spring Term meeting on May 6-7.
