News Reporters
Perceptive Choate students may have noticed a few changes upon their return to campus. Dorms have been renovated, trees seem to have disappeared, and a new softball field is being watered on Memorial Field. These are just a small sampling of the many changes made this summer.
The changes range from new roofs to new basements, with lots of purple carpet in between. According to Ms. Salot, Director of Residential Life, “We’ve really committed to upgrading our dorms, in the best way we can, to make them more habitable.” For example new roofs were put on Pitman, Nichols, Homestead and Atwater dorms. Dean of Students John Ford wisely noted, “Sometimes it’s stuff that’s not a bit glamorous and barely noticeable. For instance a huge project was putting a new roof on Nichols and Homestead.” Mr. Ford continued, “If your room doesn’t leak when it’s pouring rain, do you go running around saying ‘my room is dry?’ No. But when it leaks, you notice it.”
Almost every dormitory on campus has undergone some renovation. Edsall, once known for it’s brown – shambled exterior, was recently painted beige. Bungalow, a senior residence, is now deep red, and some of the trees formerly in front of it were removed.
For male senior dorms like Woodhouse and Chapel, new “re-grade drainages” were installed to prevent basement floods. In addition, McCook’s bathrooms were redone, and the interior was painted. Across the street, Clinton Knight now has more showers, which will hopefully reduce the stress that went with having only three. In addition, the ladies in Library and Hall are greatly impressed by the addition of several new bathrooms. Although these changes are less noticeable than Edsall and Bungalow’s exterior renovations, they involved significant work and appropriate funding.
Dormitories were not the only buildings to receive a face-lift: renovations were made to academic buildings as well. For example, this spring students will certainly be happy to have air conditioning in St. John Hall. In addition, new projector systems were added to eleven classrooms around campus. To comply with current fire codes, the Paul Mellon Arts Center had all new fire doors, sprinklers and a life safety system installed. When asked about renovations having to do with fire safety, Mr. Ford said jokingly, “We want to keep our students safe. We really don’t want them burning up in a fire.”
Environmental concerns were certainly not forgotten in the campus renovations. Old fluorescent lamps and ballasts in the Science Center, Steele Hall, and the PMAC were replaced with newer, more efficient models that will in effect conserve energy. Occupancy sensors that turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms will soon be installed in St. John Hall, Steele Hall, and the Humanities Building, also saving electricity.
These significant changes were made, impart, because Choate’s budget for summer projects significantly increased. According to Paula Welch, Head of Facilities, funds have increased from “1.5 million dollars last summer, to 4.5 million dollars this year.”
With all of these renovations completed or under way, Choate students will undoubtedly benefit. “I certainly hope the students have a positive response,” said Mr. Ford, who hopes the community will notice the hard work that went into improving the overall aesthetic of the campus. Headmaster Edward Shanahan agreed. Choate is “putting a lot of resources into making better homes for our students and faculty.”
