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Barnard: The Liberal Arts College for Women in New York City
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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

Q. Why does Barnard need a new building?
A. By replacing the McIntosh Center, The Nexus will provide 70,000 more feet of necessary indoor space for its academic and extra-curricular programs..
   
Q. What will be in the Nexus?
A. This will be a multiuse building with space for classrooms, faculty offices, dining facilities, student organizations, art and architecture studios, theatrical productions, public lectures, and other functions.
   
Q. Why Nexus?
A. We are calling this building the Nexus because it will be a center for academic and social life on campus, and a cultural destination for all New Yorkers.
   
Q. Will the Nexus be wheelchair accessible and disability friendly?
A. Yes. The Nexus will comply with all locally mandated code requirements and with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). This is a key part of our commitment to disability services and access.

For more questions about this, please click here, or contact facilities services director Julio Vazquez (jvazquez@barnard.edu) and/or disability services director Susan Quinby (squinby@barnard.edu).
   
Q. How tall will the building be?
A. It will be five stories high—no taller than the older, traditional buildings on campus.
   
Q. Will the offices in the Nexus have windows that can be opened and closed?
A. Yes, the office windows can be opened and closed.
   
Q. Will the magnolia tree be preserved?
A. We are doing everything we can to preserve Barnard's beloved magnolia tree, as well as its companions, the willow tree and crab apple tree. In fact, the innovative contour of the building will expand Barnard's precious lawn areas and trees. Billie Cohen, a highly qualified arborist, has been working with us, particularly advising as to what's best for the trees lining the perimeter of the construction site. She is perhaps most well known for her work with the New York Restoration Project, Bette Midler's environmental charity.
   
Q. When will McIntosh be torn down? How will this affect campus life?
A. Demolition of McIntosh and excavation of the new site will take place during summer and early fall 2007. Because we will be excavating while classes are in session, we have taken steps to dampen the noise and mitigate significant disruption to normal campus activity.

Sound attenuating windows have been ordered for selected areas in Milbank and Altschul Halls, and sound dampening panels are being installed underneath Altschul 202.
 
Q. What can we expect once construction begins?
A. The first phase is demolition of McIntosh and excavation. There will be construction noise Monday through Friday, roughly between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. The site will be periodically watered down to control dust. For more information, please see Construction Logistics
 
Q. Will the construction during the spring semester be as noisy as the demolition was during the fall?
A. The assembly of the steel frame of the Nexus will not generate as much noise as the McIntosh demolition. The rock-chopping phase was the noisiest part of this project – the sound of riveting while the frame is assembled will not be as loud.
 
Q. The model of the building appears pink. Will the Nexus be pink?
A. The facade is meant to mirror the variety of brick tones of the surrounding buildings. A brick color will be reflected in the tint in the glass and the metal panels in the shadow box. Learn more here.
   
Q. Will commencement on Lehman Lawn be affected?
A. Yes, the 2008 commencement ceremony will be held in an alternate location. Barnard administrators are working to find the ideal location.
   
Q. How can students get answers to their questions, express their concerns, and receive the latest updates on the Nexus project?
A. Up-to-date information is available from SGA leaders, who meet every two weeks with Lisa Gamsu, Vice President for Administration and Capital Planning, to receive project updates and discuss student concerns. Students can reach the SGA by email at sga@barnard.edu, or by phone at 212.854.2126.
   
Q. Where has Java City been relocated?
A. Java City has moved to Altschul Atrium and will feature an expanded menu.
   
Q. What are the on-campus dining options for students now that McIntosh is gone?
A. Hewitt will have extended hours allowing students to come and go as they please, with a changing variety of options at different times of the day. Students may use Meal Plan Points, Dining Dollars, Flex Dollars and cash at both Hewitt and Java City. In addition, dining services will provide a "Daytime Express Plan” for students who are not required to be on a plan but wish to enjoy breakfast or lunch during weekdays at Hewitt.
 
Q. Where has TCP Pizza been relocated?
A. TCP thin crust pizza is now being served in the Hewitt dining hall.
   
 
Q. Where will students be able to hang out?
A. Altschul Atrium, where Java City is located.

The Jan R. Lewis and Marley Blue Lewis '05 Parlor, formerly The Brooks Living Room, now restored to its original level of armchair comfort and architectural beauty.

Skip Stop and the commuter lounge will remain on second-floor Brooks Hall along with the SGA, McIntosh Activities Council, and Barnard Bulletin offices.

Click here for more information about student spaces during construction.
   
Q. What are the available music rehearsal spaces on campus now that the McIntosh piano rooms aren't available?
A. There are several pianos located across the campus and in the residence halls for use by students. Click here for a list of those rehearsal spaces, and the procedures for reserving them.
   
Q. What are the benefits of the new building to the surrounding community?
A. The beautifully-designed building will add more square feet of lawns and gardens to Barnard’s campus, which students, administrators, faculty, and community members can all enjoy. There will be more accessible events spaces, many of which will be open to the public. And given the added space, the College’s already rich events calendar will grow.
   
Q. Will it have a residential component?
A. No. It is a multiuse building with event spaces, dining areas, reading room, offices, classrooms, and studios.