Construction began on the Ubben Quadrangle last Wednesday, catching students off guard and rendering the quad inaccessible.
The Ubben Quad construction project was not listed on DePauw's "Major Projects List," nor was it included in the "Campus Master Plan."
According to Rob Harper, assistant director of facilities and project manager for the Ubben Quad renovation, plans have been on the books since this past June. Construction of the aboretum in the quad began in September.
"The conceptual design was approved in June and there were three months of construction design," Harper said. "The University did not want to miss an admission cycle with such an important beautification project."
The renovations are per the request of Timothy and Sharon Ubben, '58 DePauw alums for whom the quad is named and whose donation is making the project possible. Harper was unable to disclose the cost of the renovations. No matter the cost though, students living on the quad are not happy.
"It's inconvenient," said first-year and Lucy Rowland Hall resident Gretchen Stibich. "I wake up to a jackhammer every morning."
Other students have spoken out against the construction as well.
"I understand that it's necessary," said sophomore Zack Baker, "but I'm just wondering why it wasn't done over the summer."
In response to discontent amongst students, Harper urges everyone to keep a forward-looking mindset.
"If you were here in the late 1990s, you would have seen the construction and / or renovations of Julian [Science and Match Center], Peeler [Art Center], and the Indoor Tennis and Track Center," Harper said. "So construction, renovations, and growth, have always been a part of a forward moving institution."
It is true that construction has had an overwhelming presence on DePauw's campus since the approval of the "Building DePauw" master plan by DePauw's Board of Trustees in 2010. The plan called for renovations of the athletic facilities, the Lilly Center, the Hub, the Anderson Street entrance, and the Roy O. West Library. A new dining hall is also mentioned in the plan.
Earlier this year, The DePauw reported that renovations of the Lilly Center and athletic facilities are still on track for completion by fall 2014. While a conceptual plan for Roy O. is included in the master plan, there is no word on when construction will begin.
"Facilities Management is working through the design process for the Hoover Dining Hall and the Hubbard Center for Student Engagement," Harper said. "Construction on the Hoover Dining Hall could begin after Commencement 2014."
With the athletic facilities finishing up in fall 2014, continuing on with the dining facilities after this year's commencement would mean having two large projects overlapping on campus.
With this in mind, some students, especially first-years, are a bit worried.
"'I'm excited to see what they actually make, but overall, I think there's a bit too much going on," said first-year Evelyn Brosius.
As for the Ubben Quad, the renovations should be finished by summer 2014, according to Harper, offering some reassurance that DePauw's campus won't be too overwhelmed with construction projects in the coming future.
