Over the long weekend this weekend, painters will be in Green Hall to paint the stairwell that goes from the first floor of the building up the Galen Stone Tower. They will also be painting a small area by the El Table entrance of the building. We expect the painting to be complete by the time the building reopens on Tuesday, October 14.

Thank you.

Just as there is excitement across campus today as first year students move in to their residence halls, there is also much excitement in Founders and Green halls today as faculty move in to newly renovated offices there.

After a rigorous eight weeks, the renovations in Founders/Green this summer are nearly complete. You may continue to see some minor construction activity into September, as the finishing touches are made.

The work this summer brought together academic departments in one location, updated faculty offices, modernized classrooms, and improved the accessibility of these buildings—including installing a new ramp on the second floor above the iconic archway and widening the corridors. A new all-gender bathroom was added to the 2^nd floor and the bathroom on the 4^th floor was replaced with a new handicapped-accessible facility.

The next phase of work scope in Founders/Green—work that will be finalized in the coming months—will begin next summer.

Here is a glimpse of some of the renovated spaces…

A renovated office in the Spanish Department.

Standing in the common area of the East Asian Languages and Cultures Department, clerestory windows were placed strategically to allow natural light from the outside to filter into the interior space.

Widened corridors will provide improved circulation within the building and direct access to faculty offices.

Renovated classrooms will include display screens, black boards, and contemporary mobile tablet armchairs that enable flexible room arrangements.

The new accessibility ramp on the second floor of the building.

Three-quarters of the way through the first phase of a multiphase renovation of Founders and Green halls, and work continues at a steady pace. This summer, the project in “Green Hall South” and “Founders Hall North” is being completed to update faculty offices, classrooms, and common spaces on the second, third, and fourth floors, bringing together academic departments and improving accessibility.

Earlier this summer, in the Spanish Department area of the fourth floor, crews unearthed a large block wall, previously concealed beneath the walls, that they had to remove block by block. Other than that minor setback, work has continued on time and on budget throughout the summer.

The renovations are expected to be completed in time for the start of the fall semester.

Take a peek inside…

A new accessibility ramp is being installed on the second floor, replacing stairs, above one of the iconic Green Hall archways directly below it.

A faculty office on the fourth floor undergoes renovations.

A corridor on the fourth floor has been widened to provide better accessibility.

Deb Spielman, project manager, and Cappy Lynch, dean of faculty affairs, review floor plans for Founders and Green.

An outdated phone booth on the second floor will be turned into an electrical room.