Many renovations took place at the University over the summer, including upgrades as simple as a new coat of paint here or there and more complex endeavors such as improved security systems for some dorms. Major projects, such as a new dorm and a music building, are still in the planning stages.
The most noticeable construction project is the renovation of Goddard Chapel. Scaffolding covers the historic bell tower and additional work is being done on the roof, foundation, and exterior masonry of the building. The goal of the project is to "restore the integrity of the building envelope and make structural repairs to ensure that it can continue to be of service to many more years to come," Vice-President of Operations John Roberto said.
Renovations are scheduled to be completed by late October or early November.
Three dorms - Bush, Hodgdon, and Blakeley (a Fletcher graduate student dorm) - were equipped with sprinkler systems, and hallway fire alarms, and updated emergency light systems. Bush was also wired for the JumboFob electronic access system implemented in South last year.
Five other dorms are scheduled for sprinkler system installation in the summer of 2003.
According to Roberto, adding sprinklers takes longer than simply upgrading existing safety systems because the sprinklers must be simultaneously integrated into the fire alarm system. The University used this opportunity to ensure that the alarm systems were up-to-date. Universities across the country have recently been installing sprinklers to dorms following deadly dorm fires at Seton Hall University and the University of Texas at Austin.
Various classrooms were also renovated over the summer, most notably Pearson 104. The large lecture hall was redone with new seating, interior finishing, air conditioning, and added teaching technology, Roberto said. Braker 02, an instructional lab, was renovated as well.
Other classrooms underwent minor renovations such as new coats of paint, updated lighting, and new furniture. Hallways and rooms of some dorms were given fresh coats of paint, and other buildings received new furniture.
A patio, similar to those outside the Campus Center and Brown & Brew, will be completed within the next two weeks outside of Hodgdon Take-It-Away dining hall, Roberto said. A brick patio and wall will replace the old cement patio, and furniture for the area will arrive at the end of next week.
Though Tufts spent the summer completing many smaller construction projects, plans for a new residence hall, which will contain around 150 beds in single and double rooms, continue to progress. It will be situated next to Stratton Hall along Talbot Ave., extending in an L-shape to Professors Row. The two residential homes next to Stratton will be demolished and the families relocated to make way for the building.
Groundbreaking for the structure is scheduled for the spring of 2003, and its first residents will likely move in for the 2004-5 academic year. Architectural plans and drawings for the building are to be finalized by the end of the year.
The music building project, however, is far behind schedule. "It hasn't advanced very much, it's a subject of raising achievement funding," Roberto said. Because of the standstill on gathering funds, he was unable to predict when building construction would begin.
The music building is slated to stand on the corner of Professors Row and Packard Ave., currently home to Zeta Psi. The University is in continued negotiations with the fraternity, and plans for new fraternity housing and payments are advancing. The project is "moving along and making progress but [is] not finalized yet," Roberto said.
