Filling the Hole

The Northwest Science Building will provide valuable classroom space and resources for Columbia’s science departments. Anticipated to be finished by the fall of 2010 at a construction cost of $179 million, the building will have 14 floors including seven that will be devoted to laboratory space and two that will be devoted to a science library. Unfortunately, most students know little more about the project than what they can see over the construction fences. Project details and updates from the administration about this major campus change have been few and far between, with no more than an “Under Construction” sign on the fence. Currently, the Columbia Neighbors Web site is the only consistently updated source of information, including tentative construction time-tables and low-resolution images of the building. Much of the student body, however, remains unaware of any of the plans for the building, or how construction will affect their lives in the meantime.

Barnard’s Nexus Web site is a good example of how the University can keep students informed. Barnard students can view Web cams of the site, check construction updates, and read extensively about the goals and design of the building. Because it is a future student center, it is no surprise that the Nexus has received so much attention, and it is not necessary for the University to approach the Northwest Science Building with the same excitement. It should, however, provide students with current construction information and building plans, and keep campus continually updated about the progress.

The Columbia’s Neighbors Web site, which also includes announcements and links to construction notices which detail when construction will occur, noise concerns, and any changes to bus schedules that result from the building. These notices are helpful and provide much-needed information for community members. They should be easily accessible to students as well—the University should prominently display that information on Columbia’s home page so that students can easily find it. Columbia should also make sure students can find information they need about changes that will affect them more directly. The construction of the Northwest Science Building was reported to require parts of the Dodge Physical Fitness Center to close. As the project progresses and the plans about what to do with the gym are finalized, the administration should utilize the Athletic Web site as soon as they can.

The University should also give students a chance to visualize the finished project. The gates around the tennis courts, which are closed for construction, could be used to post blueprints and posters displaying the information that is available on the Neighbors Web site and any updates in construction. The images available on the Neighbors Web site are currently low-quality and do not include floor plans.

The Northwest Science Building will certainly improve academic life for science students at Columbia. The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences currently has many fewer laboratories than other engineering programs, and the new building will provide much needed science space for both graduates and undergraduates. The building will be used by students who are a part of Columbia’s community, and they should therefore be better informed on what is a point of pride and progress for the Morningside Campus.