In early July, the College of Arts and Sciences moved from its home in Waterman to its new headquarters in what people commonly referred to as "the nuns' house."
438 College, built by the Booth family in 1909, but most recently occupied by a Catholic religious order, is now our home, and the College staff couldn't be more pleased. As a result of a $3 million dollar investment, the building now provides staff with comfortable surroundings in which to work and has quickly become a source of enormous pride of place.
With attention to historical detail in evidence throughout, the house functions as a thoroughly contemporary site for College students and faculty alike to meet, problem-solve, and celebrate. A lovely oval conference room on the first floor, soon to be dedicated to the memory of the late Dean, Joan Smith, is the building's heart. This room functions both as a multi-purpose meeting room and as the site of College development functions.
Dean Miller and her staff also have lovely offices on the first floor, some with (disabled) fire places. Paula Guarnaccia, the new Assistant Dean for Budget and Finance, has an office in what was formerly the kitchen. The rest of the financial and human relations functions are housed in the second floor addition. The second floor of the building also houses all of the College's student support services, including all the CAS advisors and their fearless leader, Assistant Dean Patricia Corcoran. The third floor has been commandeered by the College IT staff and includes space for the College servers. That large, open space also accommodates the College's workstudy students and new event planner, Craig Wells. Finally, a lovely little space in the basement has been carved out for Natalie Fleischman, the College Development Officer. That floor also accommodates a kitchen and a fully mediated conference room.
Immediately upon moving into the new space, the staff came to appreciate the fact that the building has central air-conditioning and several lovely porches.
Last weekend, Homecoming/Parents' Weekend, the College of Arts and Sciences hosted an open house. With a tent erected in the front yard and music provided by a Music Department student chamber group, college faculty and staff met with students and their parents, alumnae and friends. After enjoying hot cider and donuts, many visitors wandered through the building to admire the renovation.
It is an enormous understatement to say that they were very impressed. If you haven't seen it and would like a quick tour, please don't hesitate to drop by when next you're on campus.
