Most of the north exterior wall has been finished and washed. Work on Olin is still about four weeks behind schedule due to weather delays, but the contractor feels they can make up that time as weather improves, he noted. On the Schaffer Library project, the city has issued temporary certificates of occupancy for both the basement and third floors of the new addition, Shafer said. Special Collections is settling in to its new quarters on the third floor of the new addition after its move the second week of February. Periodicals and government documents were moved from the basement of the 1961 building to the basement of the new building last week.
Plans are to move the remainder of the staff and collection to the new building over spring break.
Students and staff will have full use of the entire new addition during spring term, Shafer said. Written narratives, which may be submitted anonymously, will be read aloud during Student Forum's town meeting in April. Dialogues during and after the town meeting will aim to address issues of difference and to work toward building a more diverse community at Union. Prof. Linda Patrik, chair of MAG, is co-director of the program. For two weeks after the initial town meeting, Peer Facilitators will assist in establishing smaller discussion groups for students.