Tomorrow's Look Is Already Here
FAR more tangibly, and impressively perhaps, than in any other way the growth and changes in a college are evident in its physical plant. This is not to say that plant development is the most important or significant measure of an institution's forward march; indeed, the doctrinaire intellectual is always ready to heap scorn on bricks and mortar. But modern, adequate facilities are essential to an educational program of the first quality, in the creative arts as well as the sciences, and in this respect Dartmouth has made remarkable gains in the past six years. With the new plant units that have been completed, are now under construction, or are on the planning board, plus considerable remodeling of older buildings, the College in 1969 will begin its third century in a very strong position so far as facilities go.
The major new Construction that will pretty much determine the look of Dartmouth 1969 has already been completed or will be completed before the year is out. The one big unit for which funds were raised in the Capital Gifts Campaign and for which definite plans have not yet been announced is the College's new auditorium. Because of its size and the necessity of having adequate parking space close by, the structure is not an easy one to place in a central location. But it will be a somewhat weathered building by 1969 and will no doubt be the scene of a Bicentennial event or two. The Nervi-designed field house, scheduled to be ready this fall, can accommodate a Commencement throng in bad weather or a large convocation, and this makes it a little less urgent to have a new auditorium; but a hall providing plenty of room for large concerts and for assembling the entire student body and faculty continues to be a real need.
Since 1956, when Dartmouth's current building boom began under the direction of Business Manager Richard W. Olmsted '32, new construction and remodeling costing over $l3 million has been completed. Another $11.5 million of construction is now in progress, and in the plan- ning stage are two new buildings and three major remodeling jobs estimated to cost an additional $3.6 million. This makes a grand total of $28.2 million for plant, nearly $9 million of which is being financed by means of investment funds or HHFA loans to be amortized from income.
The list of completed units includes the new Medical Science Building, the Bradley Center for Mathematics and the Gerry Memorial Hall for Psychology, the seven Choate Road and Wigwam Circle dormitories, the Thayer Hall enlargement and remodeling, additions to Steele Hall and Baker Library, and the Hanover Inn motor lodge. Also completed are the Dartmouth Skiway and Brundage Lodge, two faculty apartment houses on North Park Street, thirty housing units at Rivercrest, 48 relocated housing units at Sachem Village, and the remodeling of Massachusetts Hall, North Fayerweather, College Hall, and the storehouse. Also, at the cost of $1 million, the College has installed a new steam distribution system and new electric and sewer lines, and has enlarged its boiler capacity and electric power plant.
Heading the "in progress" list, of course, is the Hopkins Center, whose fall opening the College awaits with great anticipation. Also on this list is the Field House, the Medical School dormitory and auditorium, and two apartment buildings on West Wheelock Street. The furnishing of all dormitory rooms, under a new plan, and installation of a new organ in Rollins Chapel are other "in progress" items; and the College is adding a fourth boiler and a new electric distribution system.
Under the heading of "scheduled" come the new swimming pool in the east wing of Alumni Gymnasium, the remodeling of the west wing for basketball, six new faculty housing units, and the remodeling of McNutt Hall to provide headquarters for the admissions, freshman, and financial aid offices. Being discussed but not "finalized" is new construction in connection with the biological sciences and the library.
Completed ... in progress ... scheduled ... the new construction and the renovations under these three headings have already settled the look of Dartmouth 1969. New programs and gifts specifically to house them would mean more plant changes before the Bicentennial, a decision to let the student body climb beyond 3000 would require more residence halls, and the auditorium is yet to come, but by and large tomorrow's look is already here.
For a more graphic presentation of Dartmouth's recentand current plant development, turn to the next page.
