Bennett Hall Occupants Relocate as Renovation Begins
June 2004
As the first step in the much-anticipated renovation of Bennett Hall, faculty and staff who occupy the building have moved to temporary quarters elsewhere on campus. Now that the building is empty, work will begin on heating, air-conditioning, electrical, fire suppression, and security systems.
The work is part of an approximately $22 million plan to renovate the 80-year-old building, which houses the English department and several humanities programs and provides teaching space for courses across the University. After the renovation, Bennett Hall will also house the new cinema studies program and offer classrooms, practice rooms, and performance space for the music department.
This renovation is just one component of a five-year plan to address the school's most pressing facilities needs. Bennett Hall has undergone no major improvements since 1966. As a result, wiring is inadequate, classrooms are dingy and insufficient, and minor improvements made over the years have combined to detract from rather than enhance the building’s architectural quality. When the project is complete, students and faculty will enjoy refurbished classrooms and offices outfitted with state-of-the-art technology and improved acoustics. The renovation will also restore many of the building’s distinctive architectural features, such as the main lobby, grand staircase, and marble hallways.