New Building Will Help to Centralize Campus Services

BC Police, InfoTech, Residential Life among the beneficiaries

By Stephen Gawlik
Staff Writer

Architect's rendering of the new Lower Campus office building, which will house a number of administrative and academic departments.

The 155,000 square-foot structure, which will be located on the hillside east of O'Neill Library, will serve as headquarters of the Boston College Police Department and the Office of Residential Life, in addition to housing Information Technology offices, a bookstore annex, a dining service facility and other administrative offices. The Economics, History and Communication departments will also have office space in the building, which is slated to open in approximately 18 months.

Department representatives say the new five-story facility will enhance their respective operations by providing a centralized campus location and more space.

"I think it will be a significant improvement in terms of visibility for the police," said Boston College Police Chief Robert A. Morse.

The police department's current location on the first floor of Rubenstein Hall makes it difficult for visitors to find, he said.

"In the new location, with proximity to Alumni Stadium and Conte Forum, we will be at the center of activity, especially on game days," said Morse.

University administrators plan to build additional housing for students in the area in Rubenstein now occupied by BC Police and Residential Life.

College of Arts and Sciences Dean Joseph Quinn said the new office building will help to reduce the crunch for academic departments in Lyons and Carney halls. "They are among our most crowded academic buildings, so [the building] will be a benefit for all the departments in those areas," he said.

"The benefits to this department are huge," said Communication Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dale Herbeck, whose department now has the largest number of student majors. "We've grown very fast and this space will open up some possibilities."

Dining Service Director Patricia Bando said the building's small dining facility will offer a continental breakfast and beverages including gourmet coffees. For lunch, there will be a variety of "grab and go" menu items such as sandwiches and pizza. In the evening, Bando said she hopes the new dining room will take on the atmosphere of a coffeehouse with a "casual menu" of hot appetizers and light fare.

"Our goal will be to provide an atmosphere that will be unique on campus," said Bando.

"We also look forward to working with other departments and student groups to expand our offerings in conjunction with the events and programs."

Information Technology administrators said a majority of IT staff will for the first time be able to work together in one location once the building opens, a change they said will aid departmental operations.

IT Executive Director Jack Spang added that the office's configuration will provide better working space for meetings with administrators and faculty.

"It will be a more collaborative environment that will help us better serve the BC community," said Spang.

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