The central classroom building of Samuel Phillips Hall will be updated this summer after a decade without significant renovations in the building. The Academy has scheduled the first phase of reconstruction to be completed by the fall of 2007. Though plans for the renovation are not finalized, the engineering process should be finished by next month, according to Director of Facilities Michael Williams. The renovations will neither be readily visible to the untrained eye nor will they even involve extensive external or internal work; however, the renovations, according to Mr. Williams, will result in “better faculty space and an up-to-date electrical system which can handle the technology loads now needed in classrooms.” In other words, classrooms will have greater access to technology and students will have more organized connections with the faculty outside of the classroom. Mr Williams noted that the renovation does have drawbacks: “Construction is disruptive to summer session and eliminates their use of the building during construction, but, like regular session, they are pleased that the building will be upgraded. Summer session has enough classrooms in other buildings to operate effectively.” Several people voiced their judgments about the renovation of the building, including teachers and members of the Office of Physical Plant (OPP). The faculty of the History and Spanish departments drew up a list of aspects that needed changing or renovation within the building. OPP then planned the electrical system upgrade, after receiving approval from the Senior Administrative Council. Faculty and students had different responses to the news of the renovation of Sam Phil. Susan Friedell, Instructor in Spanish said, “I think the renovations are a good ideal. While we are still in the early stages of planning, it seems that the end result will be more harmony between the divisions that share Sam Phil…Additionally, upgrading the technological and electrical resources is in everyone’s best interest.” Another teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed similar views in regards to the upgrading of the electrical and technological systems of the building, but also stated that the school may do better if the money were spent on financial aid. As the teacher put it, the school should focus more on “human needs rather than building needs.” A few students, including Sarah Budrus ’07, said that the building was in desperate need of any kind of renovation. Though she also expressed some regret after hearing that the renovations did not include the upgrading of the heating systems, Budrus approved of the school’s plans to change the electrical and technological systems of the building. In future years, the school may continue the renovations of Sam Phil to include new heating and lighting systems, as well as the remodeling of the exterior. The scheduling of these renovations, however, is uncertain because of the dependence of funding. The renovation being planned for this summer is sponsored by monetary gifts and annual facilities renewal capital budget.
