Brandeis University

Office of the Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer

MEMORANDUM

I would like to provide you with an update on move-in operations and completion of construction for the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Campus Center, construction of the new undergraduate residence hall, planned construction of the new GSIEF Academic Center, and the University's acquisition and planned renovation of the American Jewish Historical Society Building.

Carl and Ruth Shapiro Campus Center -- Move-In Operations and Completion of Construction

Construction of the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Campus Center, funded by a generous gift from Carl and Ruth Shapiro, is nearing completion. The project remains on schedule for opening at the start of the fall semester. The City of Waltham has authorized the University to begin occupying the building. Much of the furniture has already been moved in to the building, and staff are beginning to move in today.

The Student Transition Team has been playing an invaluable role, working creatively and energetically on policies, programming, communications, and other areas to prepare for use of the new building. As per the project schedule, Student Life offices in the Shapiro Campus Center will be open by August 19, and the bookstore will also open during that week. The café will open during the last week of August. Most move-in operations are expected to be completed by August 23, with the complex moves of the television station and radio stations scheduled to take place in early September. A number of Orientation activities will take place in the building during the last week of August.

Work does remain to be done both on the exterior and the interior of the Shapiro Campus Center. Within the building, work is ongoing in the library and the theater. Pedestrian paths in the area of the building continue to be created. Installation of granite pavers on the south patio will begin shortly. As work on the patio is carried out, access to the building from the other three entrances will be unimpeded. Landscaping around the building will continue through the end of August. While many trees and plantings will be put in place now, many others (including some very large trees) will not be planted until the spring, in order to maximize the chances that these will survive and flourish.

The Shapiro Campus Center project website has been updated (see www.brandeis.edu/campuscenter) to include a list of construction and building occupancy milestones from June through September 2002. If you have questions about Shapiro Campus Center move-in plans, please contact Pam Gentile, Director for Planning, Design, and Construction, Office of Capital Projects, (x6-8306 or by email to pgentile@brandeis.edu) or Daniel Feldman, Chief of Staff, Office of the Executive VP/COO (x6-8405 or by email to feldman@brandeis.edu).

New Undergraduate Residence Hall

Sitework is underway to prepare for construction of the new undergraduate residence hall. This important project, which will provide 220 new beds for juniors and seniors, will allow the University to move significantly closer to its goal of more fully meeting undergraduate demand for on-campus housing. Last week, blasting began; this will enable installation of utilities to serve the new building. Blasting is expected to continue through the end of August. In September, placing of formwork for the building's foundations will begin, and pouring of the foundations should begin by the end of that month.

Funding for this project is part of the University's Capital Campaign. Approximately half of the total project cost has already been raised, and fundraising is ongoing. A description of the project, together with floor plans and architectural renderings, can be seen on the project website, at www.brandeis.edu/reshall. Occupancy of the building is scheduled for fall 2003.

As I reported in my previous memo (May 31, 2002), all functions formerly located in the Ridgewood Cottages have been relocated. The International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life has relocated temporarily to the first-level of the southeast corner of Usdan. Publications, Media Relations, and the Office of Web Services have moved temporarily to the second floor of the northwest corner of Usdan. An interim graduate student center will be created on the second floor of Usdan in the space to be vacated by the Office of the Dean of Student Life, and the Commuter Lounge currently located on the second floor northwest will move to the first floor northwest. The Lydians have moved to the Slosberg Music Center.

If you have questions about the new undergraduate residence hall project, please contact Pam Gentile, Director for Planning, Design, and Construction, Office of Capital Projects, (x6-8306 or by email to pgentile@brandeis.edu) or Daniel Feldman, Chief of Staff, Office of the Executive VP/COO (x6-8405 or by email to feldman@brandeis.edu).

GSIEF Academic Center

The University's Trustees have approved moving forward with the new GSIEF Academic Center, the cost of which is being fully gift-funded. Construction is expected to begin next week. At that point, a construction trailer will be set up, materials will begin arriving, and protection measures for the adjacent wetlands will be put in place. To prepare for foundation work and utilities for the new Center, excavation is expected to begin by early September. This excavation will likely involve some blasting of ledge, and the entire community will be advised well in advance of this work.

If you have questions about the GSIEF Academic Center project, please contact Pam Gentile, Director of Planning, Design, and Construction (x6-8306 or by email to pgentile@brandeis.edu).

American Jewish Historical Society Building Acquisition and Planned Renovation

For a number of years, the University has been negotiating with the American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) to acquire their building, located to the west of the Heller building and southwest of E-lot parking. At the beginning of August, these efforts reached a successful conclusion on terms very favorable to the University, and the University now owns the building. Funds have been raised for renovations to the building, which will be minimal and will strive to preserve the historic character of the building. The University's acquisition of this building gives us some much-needed space to accommodate new seminar rooms, academic offices, and meeting spaces.

If you have questions about the University's acquisition and planned renovation of the AJHS Building, please contact Pam Gentile, Director of Planning, Design, and Construction (x6-8306 or by email to pgentile@brandeis.edu).

Communication

This and earlier project update memos to the community can be viewed by clicking on the Documents link on the website of the Office of the EVP/COO, at www.brandeis.edu/evpcoo. This website also provides a suggestion box so you can share your thoughts and suggestions with me and with my staff. I encourage you to communicate with us.