NEWS BRIEFS

NEWS BRIEFS

Hop Forward

The College plans to spend $75 million on a renovation of the Hopkins Center. “This has been a long-awaited project,” says Hop director Mary Lou Aleskie. The 59-year-old arts center needs a technology upgrade, in part to enhance the digital reach of its programming, and architects plan to add three new recital halls. Spaulding Auditorium, Moore Theater, and Warner Bentley Theater will remain. Norwegian design firm Snohetta leads the project. Construction could begin in late 2022.

Study Abroad Takes a Hit

Pandemic-related budget cuts have slashed the number of off-campus progams for the 2021-22 academic year from nearly 40 to about 25. Overall interest in programs has declined in recent decades, from roughly 800 participants in the 1980s to 500 for 2018-19. As government and computer science majors continue to grow in numbers, the College may try to combine language programs with these fields of study to create hybrid trips.

Libraries to Close

The Paddock Music Library and Kresge Physical Sciences Library will shut their doors for good in June. Popular items from both collections will be moved to the main Baker-Berry Library system by September. College officials cited budget cuts and a decline in lending numbers—caused more by digital advances than by the pandemic— for the closures. “Managing physical assets together is just an effective way of looking at allocating resources,” says dean of libraries Sue Mehrer.

Covid-19 Cases Decline

A late February Covid-19 outbreak peaked with 143 active student cases. More than 300 students went into quarantine or isolation and roughly 200 others departed campus altogether to continue their studies elsewhere. By April 5 the number of active cases on campus had dropped to 25 students and four faculty and staff.