May 2001 University Reporter

image of groundbreaking ceremony By Anne-Marie Kent

At a July 20 groundbreaking ceremony attended by local political leaders, trustees, and members of the print and broadcast media, the University of Massachusetts Boston began construction on its new 331,000 square-foot, $75 million Campus Center.

Visible on three sides from the perimeter road, the six-story Campus Center will provide a dramatic, large-scale entrance to the university. Vice Chancellor David MacKenzie, then serving as interim chancellor, said that the Campus Center, the first addition to the Boston campus since 1978, promises to transform completely the entire look and feel of UMass Boston.

With its curved white limestone surfaces, and numerous windows and skylights welcoming in natural light, the new building promises to be stunning—and to stand in contrast to the existing square, red brick buildings of UMass Boston.

University of Massachusetts President William M. Bulger said, “This new Campus Center will be an inspirational venue for the exchange of ideas and the building of lifelong friendships. It also will be a stunning architectural addition to one of the most beautiful university campus locations anywhere.”

The Campus Center also should foster a greater sense of community through the creation of more shared space and the centralizing of important student services currently located throughout the campus.

At present, UMass Boston students must traverse the campus to visit various offices and centers. In any given day a student may need to visit Financial Aid in the Quinn Building, meet with an Honors advisor in the Healey Library, walk to Wheatley Hall to visit Student Life, and then double back to McCormack Hall to attend a Ryan Lounge study group. Once the new Campus Center is built, student offices, new lounges, and student centers will all be under one roof.

The Campus Center will house administrative offices, such as Enrollment Services and Student Affairs; student services, including Admissions, Financial Aid, and Academic Support; and student organizations such as Student Government and Student Life. All student clubs and centers will be housed in the new space. Health Services also will be located in this new building, along with numerous study areas, a game room, dining facilities, and the bookstore.

President Bulger said, “Learning is greatly enhanced by the informal interaction of students with their peers and with their faculty.” He added, “The construction of this Campus Center is an important part of the university’s effort to provide our students, faculty, and neighbors with first-rate learning, research, and cultural opportunities.”

MacKenzie added, “Not only will the new Campus Center improve the efficiency in which we deliver services, but it will also improve and enhance the students’ experience from a practical, cultural, and academic perspective.”

In addition to serving students, the new Campus Center will serve the needs of university alumni and community groups. It will house an alumni area and conference space, which will be available to members of the campus and area groups as well.

Representing the community at the groundbreaking were City Councilor Maureen Feeney, New England Council President Jim Brett, Harbor Point Task Force President Juan Tennyson, Columbia/Savin Hill Civic Association President Bob Donovan, former Speaker and Representative Bob Quinn, and former Dorchester Representative Paul White.

Also present were University of Massachusetts trustees Heriberto Flores, Jim Mahoney, and Karl White; UMass Boston Chancellor Jo Ann Gora, former Chancellor Sherry Penney; Student Trustee Sandra Karahalis; and Division of Capital Asset Management Commissioner David Perini.
MacKenzie thanked the Campus Center Steering Committee - John Applebee, LaVerne Cawthorne, Stephan Chait, Val Kirsis, and Prudence King - for their work with the architects, Kallmann McKinnell and Wood, and the state Division of Capital Asset Management. He said, “They have worked tirelessly since 1998 to shepherd this project through to construction, and their efforts are to be applauded.”

Photo: Members of the university community ceremoniously help “break ground” for the new Campus Center (from left to right): Karl White, university trustee; Sherry Penney, former chancellor; Sandra Karahalis, student trustee; David MacKenzie, vice chancellor for administration and finance; William Bulger, UMass president; David Perini, commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management; Heriberto Flores, university trustee; Jo Ann Gora, chancellor; and Jim Mahoney, university trustee. (Photo by Harry Brett)

New Campus Center Groundbreaking at UMass Boston