A Look at Mount Holyoke in Summer

• Finishing touches were put on Pratt Hall.
  
• The art building project, which encompasses the renovation of the art building's second and third floors, faculty offices and teaching spaces, and the first floor of the art museum, in addition to the construction of a 3,400-square-foot addition to the art museum, progressed on schedule. The second and third floors will be completed in early September. The museum-space renovations and expansion on the first floor will continue until mid-September, when testing of the mechanical systems of the space, critical to the environmental control of the museum collection, will commence. The art museum's collection will be moved into the new and renovated spaces beginning late in the fall term.
• Construction on the science center project started at the beginning of June. Summer activity has been focused in two areas: installation of site utilities across campus and the excavation for foundations and the lowest (service) floor of the new Kendade Hall building. Site utilities, including storm and sanitary sewer systems, underground electrical distribution, and conduits for fiber optic, telephone, and data networking, are largely complete. The Kendade Hall excavation is nearing completion, and the construction of the concrete foundations has begun. The foundation construction and the erection of structural steel for the new building will continue through the fall of this year. Kendade Hall is scheduled to open in fall 2002. Planning for temporary "swing" space and logistics during the renovations of Carr and Shattuck buildings has been ongoing over the past several months. Carr will be vacated in January of 2002 and will be completely renovated. The renovated Carr building is scheduled to open in spring of 2003. Shattuck will close for renovations in summer 2002, as Kendade prepares to open.
  
• During summer, planning and design for the renovation and expansion of Blanchard Campus Center has focused on ensuring that the project is as environmentally friendly as possible. The College anticipates that the renovation of the existing building and construction of two additions will receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the United States Green Building Council. Planning for temporary alternate locations for the functions currently within Blanchard is also proceeding. Blanchard construction is scheduled to commence in late spring 2002.
  
• Considerable work was undertaken in Buckland Hall to enhance student and public areas.
  
• Expansion of the Gorse parking lot to the south behind the Gorse maintenance garage was completed, providing 111 additional student parking spaces. Temporary lighting will remain for a few weeks until the permanent fixtures arrive.
  
• At Kendall, a state-of-the-art suspended ("sprung") hardwood dance floor was installed in Studio One, and construction of an expanded Kendall parking lot is well under way. This project will provide 139 additional spaces for faculty, staff, visitor, and event use and will improve the entry sequence and traffic flow for the Kendall Sports Complex. There will be a drop-off area at the building's entrance and visiting team bus parking. Ten existing Kendall tennis courts are being rebuilt, and two courts are being added and should be completed by mid-September. The courts adjacent to Lower Lake will be demolished as part of the Blanchard expansion project.
  
• Communications offices, which are located in the basement of Mary Woolley Hall, were completely renovated.
  
• Prefinished oak flooring was installed in additional student rooms in Pearsons Hall. Windows and doors in the Pearsons Hall sunroom were replaced to convert this space into a four-season room and to improve its comfort year round.
  
• Three new computer labs and five new offices were constructed in the Reese Psychology and Education building, and the machine shop was relocated to the basement. This work will provide needed "swing" space during the science center construction project.
  
• Much of the southern half of Skinner basement was reorganized to accommodate more staff and improve efficiency in human resources, payroll, and accounts payable. The associate treasurer, with staff, and purchasing moved into this area, as well.
  
• The Wilder kitchen was completely renovated to meet the religious dietary traditions of Jewish and Muslim students. In addition, dining room tables and chairs were replaced.
  
• The Writing Center, previously located in Williston Library, was moved to the Weissman Center for Leadership in Porter Hall.