Dear Barnard Faculty and Staff,

In addition to the construction work currently being done in Barnard Hall, the College will begin pre-construction work in and around Altschul Hall as we prepare to transform the building into the Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center, a modern research and teaching center. The College is reimagining the R&D Science Center through a renovation of existing spaces, an expansion northward, and an interconnection into and onto Milbank Hall. Construction on this exciting project, which will provide our faculty and students with state-of-the-art science spaces and facilities, is slated to begin next summer and open in 2026.

A phase of preliminary work will begin on Monday, August 14 and conclude Saturday, August 26. Much of the interior work will occur after hours to lessen the impacts of those working in the building during the day, while exterior work will be conducted during the daytime in consideration of neighboring residents and needing daylight. There will be some drilling and occasional chopping noise during this work; more detailed communications have been sent to those faculty members, and academic and administrative departments directly impacted.

Starting this Monday, the construction team will begin this work in and around Altschul Hall. The noise/vibration and dust impacts are listed in the schedule below. As with all construction projects, there may be slight changes to the schedule; should there be any major changes, we will send email updates. 

  • Basement (interior in parking garage, possible noise/vibration in Altschul lower floors)
  • Monday, August 14 - Tuesday August 15, overnights after 5 p.m.
  • Saturday August 19 - Sunday August 20, daytime
  • Saturday August 26, daytime
  • Lower Level (interior, very minor noise/vibration on Altschul First Floor)
  • Monday, August 14 - Wednesday, August 16, overnights after 5 p.m.
  • Lower Level around Mail Services (interior, minor noise/Core dust)
  • Thursday, August 17 - Friday, August 18, overnights after 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 19, daytime
  • Campus Level/Altschul L2 Terrace (exterior west/north/east sides, noise/vibration/dust will be present)
  • Wednesday, August 16, overnights after 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 19, daytime
  • Tuesday, August 22 -23, overnights after 5 p.m.
  • Fourth Floor Landing (exterior on west face of building, noise/dust expected)
  • Friday, August 18, overnights after 5 p.m.
  • Roof (exterior on top of building, very minor noise/vibration)
  • Wednesday, August 16 - Friday, August 18, overnights after 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 19, daytime
  • Floors 4-14 - various times Monday, August 14-Saturday, August 26

We know that construction on campus can be disruptive and inconvenient at times. We will be doing our best to minimize this disruption and keep you informed as both the Barnard Hall and Altschul Hall projects move along this year.

For additional information on the Barnard construction projects, visit the Barnard Builds website and/or email barnardbuilds@barnard.edu.

Thank you!

Barnard Builds