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October 28, 2005 > News > Plan for central quad begins with cafe pavilion

Plan for central quad begins with cafe pavilion

By Beko Binder | Thresher staff

In a few years, students may be able to go from a library cafe to the Student Center to the Rec Center in less than two minutes.

Moving sidewalks are not being installed on campus. But the Board of Trustees has approved plans for a pavilion behind Fondren Library, which is the first of what President David Leebron imagines as several building projects to make the space between Fondren Library, the Student Center and Herring Hall into a quad and central gathering place on campus, Adviser to the President Maryana Iskander (Wiess ‘97) said.

Iskander said the idea for developing a quad was influenced by feedback from Leebron’s Call to Conversation.

“I think that as part of [Leebron’s] broader vision and certainly as part of the Call to Conversation, the concept is to create a more vibrant social center to the campus,” Iskander said. “[Leebron]’s sense is that the campus sometimes feels empty, and that rather than continuing to spread out, [we should] try to increase the density and the sense of vibrancy. And it emerged into a more focused vision around the central quad.”

Dean of Undergraduates Robin Forman said the quad should be a central hub where students can gather.

“We want to create an exciting space which lends itself to dynamic interactions — a space that’s a comfortable meeting space for small groups, large groups, outdoor lectures, movies and concerts,” Forman said. “I think our goal is to create a space that students and faculty and staff naturally walk through.”

Iskander said the pavilion — the first component of the renovated quadrangle to be approved — will include a new campus dining option.

“[The approved plan] puts a sort of cafe on the back end of the library that would face out onto the quad,” Iskander said.

Associate Vice President of Facilities, Engineering and Planning Barbara White Bryson said the pavilion is still in its early stages, but architect Tom Phifer has been hired to begin designing it and the rest of the quad. Bryson said she hopes the pre-design phase will be finished by December.

Bryson said there is currently no schedule for the construction of the pavilion. FE&P will have estimates of a completion date and costs for the project after the pre-design process, Bryson said.

The pre-design process includes making concept sketches, floor plans, quality specifications and construction schedules, Bryson said.

Iskander said Leebron’s long-term plan for the central part of campus also includes enhancements to the Student Center, a new recreation center across Laboratory Road from McNair Hall and a social sciences building between Herring Hall and Baker Hall. However, only the pavilion has been formally approved by the board.

“Part of this plan is to relocate a new recreation center diagonally across from the RMC,” Iskander said. “The idea is for people to go to the Rec Center and walk through the Student Center to get a meal or go get coffee at the pavilion or meet friends.”

Iskander said she thinks the renovations will make the campus feel more cohesive.

“I think that this will definitely emerge as the Call to Conversation comes to a close as one of the very important themes that’s come out from all groups,” Iskander said. “The physical infrastructure on campus, the recreational facility — and its location closer [to major buildings] — and the renovations behind the central quad will hopefully start making [the area feel more like] the center of the campus.”

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