Renovations Slated for Winter Break Facilities, ITS Gear Up; TVs and Internet Kiosks on the List
By Andrew Kim ‘09
News Staff Reporter
During Choate’s brief two week winter vacation, the facilities department will be busy renovating and experimenting with several new proposals. The main tasks include the addition of flat-screen TVs to different parts of campus, the installations of card-access systems in dorms, and a new library foyer.
The facilities department and ITS will collaborate to add flat-screen TVs in several locations across campus. Choate plans on setting up internet kiosks in Hill House and the Winter X. Students will have access to their email accounts through these televisions. When the TVs are unoccupied, they will play news channels. This new addition will not only make email more convenient for the students but also raise awareness of current events among the student body. The cost for this project is uncertain.
Starting from the end of winter break, four dorms will have a new card-access system installed in their outer dorm doors. This trial system will begin in Edsall, Mead, Atwater, and Pitman. The students residing in these dorms will be given a Choate lanyard with an access card attached. The card-access system from Persona System will increase security. The initial experiment with the four dorms listed above will total approximately $55,000.
Finally, the library foyer will be completely redone. The old carpets will be replaced with carpeting that will lead up the stairs. Choate will also supplant the lights with brighter ones and add a seating area. In addition, a formal backpack area will be designated to prevent the pile of bags that are usually stacked in the vestibule. All of these renovations to make the library a more eye-pleasing and study-friendly area will cost a total of $55,000.
Apart from these three main changes, maintenance will clean dorm carpets and repaint dorm stairs. Behind the PMAC, a $7000 project to thin out the forests along Rosemary Lane will be carried out.
