Courtesy of Connecticut College
The sun is setting earlier, the leaves are falling, the weather is getting colder. Campus is about to become silent over winter break, except for one loud thing: the construction by Crozier-Williams. I met with Dean of Student Life Victor Arcelus recently for an end-of-year construction update, as well as a projection of when the current construction will be done and when new construction on campus will start. Arcelus emphasized that the construction on Cro will be done by the end of spring break, as planned. Originally, it was predicted to be done by February 2025, but now, according to Arcelus, “I think they’re shooting right now for March,” specifically after spring break. This construction will boast a fully revamped sports bar in Cro’s Nest, Oasis snack lounge, and a welcoming lobby, with the end goal of making the student center more of a communal space.
A major campus worry is the noise from the construction, and as Arcelus said, “I completely understand that it can be very disruptive.” There are a lot of loud noises associated with this construction, but to the benefit of the campus, by the time winter break is over, a lot of the racket should be subsiding. Arcelus also pointed out that not having “Cro for a semester will benefit the community” once it is done, because it will be creating a bigger community space and a healthy environment to encourage socialization. According to the Connecticut College website, the new student center should foster creativity, socialization, and a healthier, more pedestrian-friendly community. Another massive project on campus is turning Cro Boulevard into a pedestrian promenade, and as Arcelus said, “I don’t think people realize what a difference the campus is going to be when you don’t have to be constantly intersecting cars,” which would help with community development and pedestrian walkways throughout the entire campus.
“From Harris over to the green is going to be a significant transformation,” said Arcelus, and he reassures the campus body that “there is going to be the same number of [parking] spaces,” which was a major concern. The spaces will still be in existence, but will no longer be right in front of buildings, to help create community and keep the campus not only more pedestrian, but also more environmentally friendly.
Unfortunately for those who are not graduating soon, the campus construction will continue beyond this year and this upcoming summer. Though there will be much construction and renovation this summer, such as new bathrooms in Jane Addams, Harkness, Freeman, and other South Campus dorms, as well as renovations to Harris Refectory, construction should be expected on and off for many years to come. This construction is going to transform the campus to a greener, more pedestrian-focused campus, with easier ways to get from the Plex to Tempel Green without interacting with cars.
Although the campus began its year with heavy construction, traffic, and inconveniences, that will soon change in March, as the College Center reopens and as new walkways appear. The windows in the new section of Crozier-Williams have been set, the walls put up, the furniture ordered. A community space is coming incredibly soon, and as construction workers labor during winter break, there will be massive noticeable changes. What started as a gutted building at the beginning of the semester is starting to become a place for community-building, and open, accessible spaces free for all to use. Camels should know that a semester and a half of work will reap many benefits, and also make it easier for everyone to travel around campus.
The end-of-the-year update for construction around campus, specifically the main project, Crozier-Williams, holds a lot of hope and excitement, as well as reassurance for those who were bothered by the noise that they have only a small time to deal with it. Hopefully, the campus will come back in the new year to a Crozier-Williams they recognize, and after spring break, one that we all can use.
