Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Williams College Plans Expansion of Campus Diversity Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 03/03/22

Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., will start construction this summer on a $27.5-million expansion to its campus diversity center. The project will take the Davis Center—which promotes institutional diversity, equity and inclusion—from 18,650 square feet to 26,350 square feet by an estimated completion date of fall 2023.

“The Davis Center, through the Pathways for Inclusive Excellence Office, offers a constellation of programs and initiatives that make sure all students thrive academically at Williams and beyond, and work to eradicate racial and socioeconomic disparities in higher education,” said D. Clinton Williams, director of Pathways for Inclusive Excellence at Williams. These programs include research opportunities; co-curricular engagements and workshops; and other opportunities for mentorship, academic enrichment, community-building and activism.

Local news reports that new spaces in the center will include offices, meeting and study rooms, student lounges, a laptop study bar, a spiritual and religious reference room, kitchens and dining rooms and multi-purpose spaces. It will also feature a large event space.

The college plans to demolish two existing buildings, Hardy House and Chandler Hall, to make room for the new construction. The school is partnering with design firm Leers Weinzapfel Associates in collaboration with J. Garland Enterprises.

“The Davis Center building project will advance academic, social and cultural engagement for all—especially those from groups historically underrepresented [in higher education]”, said Leticia Smith-Evans Haynes, Williams College vice president for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “The investment in the physical space also highlights the college’s continued commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.

  • Minnesota District Starts Construction on Early Childhood Learning Center

    Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools in Sauk Rapids, Minn., recently announced that construction has begun on a new early childhood learning center and a new outdoor activities complex, according to a news release.

  • Rowan University, HPE Partner on New Learning Initiative

    Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., recently announced that it has expanded its partnership with enterprise technology provider HPE to improve research capabilities and hands-on learning opportunities, according to a news release.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.