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Posted 09/30/02
Given the recent news on Dartmouth's budget situation, some people have asked whether we will be moving forward with various facilities projects. In the long run, the answer is yes, we do intend to fulfill the goals outlined in the institution's strategic plan. As you know, however, we are currently facing a more difficult budget picture than we were even a few months ago. The economy has had a serious impact on endowment returns and charitable giving. We have had to take a closer look at our facilities plans, and to consider various timing and phasing options that would enable us to achieve our goals. At this point, we are reviewing both our fund-raising efforts to date and other moneys that were previously set aside for specific projects, and we are evaluating our future fund-raising opportunities, as we determine what can go forward in the coming year.
The intention is to proceed as follows:
Construction work and permitting applications already underway will continue, and we will seek Town approvals for some projects even though the actual start date for construction may be uncertain. In several cases, pending completion of our fund raising a nd financing plans and following receipt of local approvals, we are ready to commit to construction. These projects include Kemeny Hall, which will be the new home for the Department of Mathematics, and the Academic Centers building, both of which will be located near Berry Library. We also intend to proceed with an addition to the Sudikoff Computer Science Center off North College Street, the new Thayer School of Engineering facility at the end of Tuck Drive, and the expansion of the Dartmouth Child Care Center on Reservoir Road.
The student residence halls and the dining/social facility planned for north of Maynard Street are well along in the planning process. We are revisiting the timing for those facilities and are considering various possibilities for phasing as we seek the necessary funds for their construction and operation. In the meantime, we will start preliminary permitting on these projects so that we can be ready to begin as soon as funding is in place.
Some projects, such as the Life Sciences building and an expansion of our arts facilities, are in the early planning stages. We are pursuing fund raising to allow these projects to move forward, and, as we have indicated previously, the timing of these projects will largely depend on the success of those fund-raising efforts.
We have already budgeted for various utility upgrades and renovations of existing buildings as part of the regular effort to maintain the campus infrastructure. Several off-campus projects continue as before: the permitting process for the redevelopment of Sachem Village is underway, and planning continues for the first phase of redevelopment of downtown Hanover properties the College purchased several years ago.
We will continue to consider options for expanded employee housing. We are also looking at how we will meet the need for additional parking on campus, and will be assessing the size and cost of any facility before moving forward.
We will be revisiting issues of scheduling and financing on a regular basis in the months ahead. As our plans continue to develop, we will do our best to keep the entire community informed.
NOTE:
The strategic plan is available online at http://www.dartmouth.edu/~stplan/.
The current facilities plan is presented in a brochure entitled "Dartmouth and the Upper Valley: A Special College and a Special Place," which is available online at http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/cr/facilities/; or in print from the Dartmouth Office of Public Affairs, 7 Lebanon Street, Suite 201, Hanover (603-656-3661, or e-mail " office.of.office.of.public.affairs@dartmouth.edu). In reviewing this brochure, it is important to keep in mind that the timeframes given pre-date the current budget situation.
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