Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
As you know these are challenging times. The current financial market uncertainty is severe enough that the two of us, along with President Oden, agree we need to be prudent about the speed with which we proceed with the Arts Union project. One consequence is that we will not move ahead with asking the Board at its October meeting to approve the development of construction documents. Practically, this means that the completion of Phase I in the Fall of 2011 will be unlikely.
Right now, we simply need to have greater clarity about the world’s financial situation before committing to a new timeline; any other response to the last three weeks’ events would be irresponsible.
While the financial markets may have dampened our spirits, they have not dampened our enthusiasm for the Arts Union Advisory Committee’s vision. We are thrilled with the way the design development stage has progressed, and our resolution remains as strong as ever to see this remarkable and critically important project to its successful completion.
As economic conditions continue to evolve, the Administrative Council will provide periodic updates to the campus about the Arts Union and about planning more broadly at the College in response to the uncertain financial climate.
Scott Bierman, Dean of the College
Fred Rogers, Vice President and Treasurer
Co-chairs of the Arts Union Advisory Committee