Accepted Proposals

10. What if the College built a multi-purpose indoor/outdoor structure that creates efficiency for current programs and potential to expand programming that brings our community together?

May 16, 2025

The collaboration led by: Lisa Magnarelli

With collaborators: Lucy Burke; Joni Chizzonite; Wayne Gentile; Nathan Goodale; Travis Hill; Mike Klapmeyer; Barry Rivet; J.D. Ross; Philip Thompson; Penny Yee

In an effort to promote community, fellowship, and collaboration, the College has established a number of traditional events for all segments of our community. Attendance at these events has outgrown our existing event space capacity. A new purpose-built space will provide an opportunity for a variety of large-scale events.

The proposal was submitted for TRANSFORMATIONAL funding (no maximum) and was ranked high with respect to the other proposals based upon the evaluation rubric.

The committee applauds the proposers for:

• Presenting a solution that addresses multiple campus needs while offering significant long-term cost savings
• Creating a vision for a sustainable alternative to the current temporary tent installations
• Thinking holistically about campus space utilization and event infrastructure
• Bringing together collaborators from various administrative divisions
• Identifying potential for improved campus aesthetics and functionality that could benefit multiple stakeholders

The points that the committee recommends the proposers need to continue to develop include:

• Stronger connections to broader liberal arts goals through programmatic planning
• More extensive collaboration with academic departments and student life to develop specific use cases
• Clearer articulation of how this space would engage students beyond simply hosting events
• Integration with the existing campus master plan processes
• More detailed analysis of maintenance costs and facilities time savings
• Exploration of potential academic and community partnerships that could utilize this space

From the committee’s perspective, the next phase of this project should include:

• Expanded stakeholder engagement, particularly with students who have expressed interest in transforming Dunham Green
• Development of a comprehensive programming plan that demonstrates how the space will foster community connections and support the liberal arts mission, and
• Consultation with the campus master planning committee to ensure alignment with long-term campus development goals.
• Engaging a design firm/architect to determine scope and cost of the renovation based on fee quote ($45k) provided by Facilities Management

The committee recommends funding the next phase of this proposal for $45,000 to move this idea forward for further aspirational design and development by consulting with an architect to further define the program and move forward with design plans.