Construction and reorganization on campus brings improved space and facilities, but also some headaches with reduced access to buildings and parts of campus.
Some of the major projects include the new dormitory, Sophia Gordon Hall, a new music building, and improvements to the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy building.
"Sophia Gordon, the music building, and Fletcher are all progressing well and are on schedule," Vice President of Operations John Roberto said.
Sophia Gordon Hall, which was funded by a $10 million gift from Tufts University Trustee Bernard Gordon, opened this fall and will provide housing for 126 students.
"Some early arrivals have moved in [to Sophia Gordon], with the majority of the occupants scheduled to arrive the weekend of September 2," Roberto said.
The recent completion of 62,000-square-foot Sophia Gordon makes it the newest dorm on campus. It is organized into 30 suites consisting of either four or six single rooms around a living and kitchen area. The building also has an approximately 150-seat, multi-purpose room for classes and student programming functions and a two-bedroom suite for the resident director.
The new residence hall was named in honor of Bernard Gordon's wife and was built and designed in accordance with Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED) standards. According to a press release provided by Associate Director of Public Relations Kim Thurler, the building is expected to receive a LEED silver certification in accordance with the standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
"The building incorporates a variety of energy-saving technologies and environmentally friendly features," Roberto said.
The building is equipped with a solar thermal collector and photovoltaic system, funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Energy Trust, to provide some of the building's heat and electric needs. Additionally, the bathrooms include motion sensors that will turn lights off when not in use.
Senior Rashmi Singhal, who lives in a third-floor suite, says she is happy to be a Sophia Gordon resident.
"It is amazing," Singhal said. "I'm so excited to be living here because of the fact that it is all seniors."
"It's really modern," said senior Dominique Cherebin, who also lives in a suite. "Tufts has finally caught up to other
colleges."
Both Sophia Gordon Hall and the music building remain within the limits of their respective budgets of $23 million and $27 million.
Although the music building is not yet complete, Roberto says that parts of the structure will be available for use this September.
"As part of the Music project, the lower level of Cohen is being completely renovated and will provide practice room, music teaching, and other support space," Roberto said. The new music building will also feature a 300-seat performance-quality recital hall, several classrooms, a music library, and faculty offices.
"The rest of the music project, which is the new building, will be completed in December and planned for use for the second semester in January," he said.
According to Roberto, the Fletcher renovations have two main components: interior renovation and exterior fa?§ade. The interior work, which consists of improved classrooms, offices, and accessibility, is complete and ready for use, he said.
"The exterior work includes repairs and replacement of windows and masonry and is scheduled for completion in December," Roberto said.
In order for construction logistics to allow access around the building, Packard Avenue will become a one-way uphill road until the exterior work is completed.
Roberto said that the University also completed work on several other projects this summer, including a new boathouse for the crew program, renovations on the dance studio in Jackson, and resurfacing on the Professors' Row tennis courts.
The $2.6 million new boathouse, located on the Malden River in Medford near Wellington Circle, was completed in June.
Roberto said that work on the 137-car parking garage adjacent to South Hall is also complete. "We anticipate use for resident student parking by mid-September," he said.
