Dear Barnard Students,
With the start of Fall semester fast approaching, we are writing with an update on the schedule and impacts of the ongoing construction of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being in Barnard Hall. As a reminder, the Center will include dedicated spaces for Mental Well-Being and Financial Well-Being educational programs, including Being Barnard and the Wellness Spot; a 4,000-square-feet fitness center; an expanded lobby and Wellness Commons area; new bathrooms and locker facilities for students, faculty and staff; a flexible +/- 225-seat venue for classes, performances, and events; and a dedicated Athletes Lounge for BC women athletes. Construction is expected to be complete next May. Some construction updates as we start the fall:
- Main lobby: Construction continues in the Barnard Hall lobby and the front door remains closed. The north and south Barnard Hall entrance doors will remain open for building access during this time, with the Hewitt Dining Hall accessible through the tunnel. It should reopen the week of September 11. Please note that there will be no first floor bathrooms available until late October, but a temporary changing area will be available for Streng Studio users when lobby access is restored.
- Fitness Center: This project includes construction on the first floor to make way for the new Barnard Fitness Center. In the interim, Dodge Fitness Center (DFC) continues to be open to all Barnard students, including access to club sports, intramurals and open recreation. All PE courses and Barnard Fitbear classes will be held at DFC for the Fall semester. Please note that Barnard is also planning for additional free fitness classes on the Barnard campus this fall; be looking in Barnard 411 for more information.
- North elevator: Beginning in mid to late September, the north elevator will be offline at all levels of the building for approximately 6-7 weeks. While the south elevator will remain operational during this time, we ask you to take the stairs if possible in order to be mindful of those who must rely on the elevator. Additional communications and signage will be posted once the schedule for this work is finalized.
- Classroom levels: Some limited contractor activities will continue on upper floors through mid-September, with some temp walls remaining on the south side of the building for the next few weeks. As with all construction on campus, efforts will be made to minimize noise and disruptions during instructional hours.
- Construction hours: Our construction team will be working from 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, although there may be a few days when they will need to work until 5:30 p.m. The contractor will also be working 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. over the Labor Day weekend.
For additional information on the Barnard construction projects, visit the Barnard Builds website and/or email barnardbuilds@barnard.edu.
Thank you!
Barnard Builds